NASCAR WCUP: A Guy Who's Done it All
24 June 1999
Been There, Done ThatDavid Smith has firsthand knowledge of the qualifications for almost every position on the Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse Racing Team.
The NASCAR Winston Cup veteran has moved up the personnel ladder during his 24-plus years on the circuit. Hired by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 1979 as a general mechanic, Smith has also done body work, been a championship-winning jackman, served as Dale Earnhardts crew chief, and is now team manager for the No. 31 Lowes Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner. Hes even helped in the search for sponsorship dollars.
"I knew several people at Piedmont Airlines and kept telling Richard (Childress) to talk to them," said Smith, 48, who had worked for the airline prior to signing on with RCR. "A sponsorship deal was worked out and we won our first Winston Cup race in 1983 with Ricky Rudd as our driver."
One of the tasks the Rural Hall, N.C., native now has is to evaluate each team members responsibilities and performance. Who better?
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