Amid the rainy backdrop of the 2025 NHRA Gatornationals, the future of drag racing legend “Tricky” Rickie Smith took a bright turn with the announcement of his latest partnership. Thanks to the backing of Jim Whiteley and J&A Service, Smith will compete in the full 2025 NHRA Pro Mod season, extending his already historic career for another year.
Smith, a multi-time NHRA and IHRA world champion, revealed that the deal came together after a casual conversation with Whiteley, where he mentioned his struggle to secure the necessary funding to continue racing. That conversation quickly turned into a commitment from Whiteley to keep Smith on the track.
“Jim Whitley has been involved in drag racing for years, and he’s always supported guys like me,” said Smith. “We were just talking, and next thing I know, he told me to come see him the next morning. He asked if I was ready to do this deal, and I said, ‘Well, you’re the one who can make it happen!’ And just like that, we put the pieces together.”
Whiteley, a longtime supporter of Pro Mod racing, expressed his admiration for Smith’s work ethic and determination.
“Over the last few years, we raced with Rickie in NHRA Pro Mod and some races outside of here, and he’s always run hard,” shared Whiteley in a YouTube video. “He gets it done with himself and Chad [Hester] – a two-man wrecking crew. You know I’m not a spring chicken either, and Rickie needs to stay out here, and if I can help him go out there and work on these kids, wear them out, and Rickie can do it. I have all the faith in the world, and by God that’s what we’re going to do.”
With the new deal in place, Smith’s Parkway Ford Mustang will prominently feature J&A Service branding. While Smith has faced multiple moments in his career where he thought retirement was imminent, this latest development ensures fans will see him behind the wheel for another season.
“I don’t know if I ever really retired,” Smith admitted, even though he last mentioned retirement in 2022, then before that in 2016, and then hinted at it in 2013. “People keep putting this retirement talk on me. Yeah, I thought about it a couple times, especially when I almost sold my shop and rig a few years ago. But I love this sport too much to just walk away completely. As long as I have a car that can win and I can still compete, I’m going to be out here.”
Smith originally planned to run a limited five-race schedule in 2025, with Parkway Ford continuing its support as a longtime sponsor. However, with Whiteley’s backing, he is now committed to competing in all 10 NHRA Pro Mod races this season.
“I told Jim it wasn’t that I didn’t want to race, I just didn’t have the money,” Smith said. “He stepped up, and now we’re running the whole season. That means a lot to me, and I just want to thank him for believing in me.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Smith remains realistic about his goals but is eager to make an impact.
“If I can just qualify strong, go some rounds, and maybe win a race or two, I’ll be happy,” Smith said. “You don’t have to win every race to be in contention for a championship—you just need to be in the semis and finals consistently. That’s my mindset going into this season.”
Smith also emphasized that while he is still behind the wheel, he’s slowly preparing for the next chapter. He plans to continue mentoring other racers, including Tim Molinari and Billy Albert, and is easing out of full-time competition over time.
“I’ve had two race cars since 1988, and now I’m finally down to one,” he said with a laugh. “I’m eventually weaning myself out, but for now, I’m still here and ready to race.”
With J&A Service stepping in to ensure Smith remains in NHRA competition, fans can look forward to seeing the winningest Pro Mod driver continue to leave his mark on the sport for at least one more season.
This story was originally published on March 11, 2025.
The post ‘Tricky’ Rickie Smith Discusses Newly Secured J&A Service Sponsorship, 2025 NHRA Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated.