Married my wife, Penny on July 21, 1973. Moved to Gillette, WY July 1979. Welder by trade. Helped many racers until 1987, when I built and raced a Bright Yellow 6 cylinder modified with the theme of Loony Tunes which my son painted by hand.
Built a Grand National in 1990 with the help of a friend that worked in an exhaust shop. Built the roll cage our self. Painted the car GREEN and the hood of the car featured a hand painted full sized wizard. My racing buddies told me that green was not a color that racers used as it was unlucky. This is how the "legend" of the wild wizard got started. Won the track championship in 1991.
In 1992, Purchased a Modified. The class was growing in Gillette and looked to be a fun racing class to be in. Stayed in the class one more year and family and work just got to busy.
In 2002, the Midwest Modified class was born. Our car was black with lots of green highlights. Of course the wizard on the hood was in plain sight.
In 2004, It was decided to make the body green. Ran that for 2 years. Then is was back to Black. Run the Midwest Modified through 2006.
In 2007, Got interested in the Fast Track Crate Late Models. Together with some racing buddies got the class started in Gillette. What fun. The first year the black and green was traded for Red and Chrome. Purchased an older model late model and had a ball. My son got into the class and racing with him was great fun. I was invited to Tennesee for the $50,000 dollar end of the year race. Raced with 65 other crate late models. Started in Maryville and moved on the Bulls Gap. It was a trip of a life time. Myself, my wife and my son, Toby.
Stayed in the Crates (but of course went back to black) through 2011 season. The class was dying and at 56 years old it was time to think of retiring. Never lost the love of racing and my sons took up the sport.
For about 10 years, I wondered what those little Mod 4's would be like to drive. It was a class I never drove.
So, here I am again in 2023. Out of retirement and driving a Mod 4. It is going to be fun.

Retired after 33 years of working at the coal mine in Gillette, Wyoming

Racing

Penny Smith, Caleb Smith & Marshall Smith