David Smith Bio
David Smith, born on March 28, 1950, is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. He is best known for competing in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he drives the No. 05 Toyota for Shockwave Motorsports. In addition to his racing career, Smith serves as the president of SHOCKWAVE Marine Suspension Seats, a marine seating company that also sponsors his racing efforts. His career in motorsports spans more than five decades, beginning behind the scenes as a chassis builder before he eventually moved into the driver’s seat.
Early Life and Background
David Smith was born on March 28, 1950, in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. Growing up in a region with a strong automotive and marine culture, he developed an early fascination with machines and mechanical work. Sidney and the surrounding Vancouver Island area have long been home to enthusiasts of auto racing, and Smith was exposed to that environment from a young age. His Canadian roots have remained a defining part of his identity throughout his long racing journey.
As a young man, Smith became deeply interested in the technical side of racing, particularly in how race cars were built and prepared. This interest would shape the early phase of his career and eventually lead him to the United States to work with established racing teams. His mechanical aptitude, combined with his passion for the sport, helped him build a strong foundation that would later support his transition from the workshop to the racetrack.
Path to NASCAR
Smith’s path to NASCAR began in the 1970s, when he relocated to the United States to work as a chassis builder. Over the course of about twenty years, he built and prepared race cars for a number of well-known team owners, including Ralph Moody, Gary Kershaw, Roy Smith, and Hershel McGriff. This long apprenticeship gave him a thorough understanding of race car setup, chassis dynamics, and team operations at a high level.
During this era, Smith was inducted into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2011, recognizing both his contributions as a builder and his later efforts as a competitor. He continued to work on race cars for two decades before deciding to focus on driving. This shift from mechanic to driver allowed him to apply the deep technical knowledge he had developed, giving him a unique perspective on the sport.
David Smith Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Smith made the move from the garage to the driver’s seat by entering the Trans-Am West Coast Championship in 2017. Competing in a series known for its close, door-to-door racing, he gained valuable experience in actual race conditions. Between 2017 and 2019, he took part in several Trans-Am West Coast events, steadily building confidence behind the wheel.
In 2018, Smith ran five of the six scheduled Trans-Am West Coast Championship events and finished third in the overall standings. This strong result demonstrated that his long career as a chassis builder had translated well into competitive driving. The Trans-Am years served as a crucial proving ground before he moved on to national stock car racing series.
ARCA Menards Series West Breakthrough (2022–Present)
Smith made his ARCA Menards Series West debut in 2022 at Evergreen Speedway, driving the No. 05 Toyota for Shockwave Motorsports. His first race ended in a thirteenth-place finish after a late crash with less than thirty laps remaining. He added two more starts that year at All American Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, recording a best finish of eleventh at the Roseville event. These early results laid the groundwork for a more competitive season to follow.
In 2023, Smith attempted to run the full ARCA Menards Series West schedule for Shockwave Motorsports after forming an alliance with Naake-Klauer Motorsports, despite the two teams running different manufacturers, with Shockwave using Toyota and Naake-Klauer using Ford. That season marked the first of his series-best results, which he would later surpass.
By 2025, Smith achieved his best career ARCA Menards Series West finish of seventh in the standings. He also expanded his schedule to include the national ARCA Menards Series, making his debut there at the 2023 General Tire 150 at Phoenix and returning for the 2025 General Tire 150 at Phoenix. Across the ARCA Menards Series, he has recorded zero wins, zero top tens, and zero poles, while in the ARCA Menards Series West he has earned zero wins, three top tens, and zero poles.
Shockwave Motorsports Era (2022–Present)
Smith has been a consistent presence with Shockwave Motorsports since 2022, when he began driving the No. 05 Toyota for the team. The partnership has allowed him to balance his role as president of SHOCKWAVE Marine Suspension Seats with his racing duties, since his company serves as the team’s primary sponsor. This unique arrangement has given him a high level of control over his racing program and schedule.
Under the Shockwave banner, Smith has steadily improved his on-track performance, with his seventh-place ARCA Menards Series West result in 2025 standing as his career-best championship finish. The alliance with Naake-Klauer Motorsports also strengthened his team’s competitive capabilities. As he continues to compete, Smith remains a respected veteran presence in the ARCA garage.
Notable Races and Milestones
Smith’s most significant milestones include his 2018 third-place finish in the Trans-Am West Coast Championship standings and his 2025 seventh-place ARCA Menards Series West result, which represents his best championship finish in the series. His debut at Evergreen Speedway in 2022 and his Phoenix Raceway appearances have been signature moments in his driving career. In 2020, Smith was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment in the United States, an experience he has openly discussed as part of his personal journey.
David Smith Career Wins
David Smith’s career win totals are documented across the ARCA Menards Series and the ARCA Menards Series West, where he has yet to record a victory in either series. His best championship results include a third-place finish in the 2018 Trans-Am West Coast Championship standings and a seventh-place finish in the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West. While he has not reached victory lane, his consistent presence and steady improvement have made him a respected competitor.
ARCA Menards Series West Highlights
Smith debuted in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2022 at Evergreen Speedway. Across his career in the series, he has recorded zero wins, three top tens, and zero poles. His best season to date came in 2025, when he finished seventh in the championship standings. He has been a regular at tracks such as Phoenix Raceway, All American Speedway, and Evergreen Speedway.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the ARCA ladder, Smith competed in the Trans-Am West Coast Championship between 2017 and 2019, earning a third-place overall finish in 2018 after running five of six scheduled events. While no race wins are recorded in this period, his consistent finishes established him as a credible competitor. He has continued to build on that foundation in his ARCA career.
David Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about David Smith’s family background is limited. He was raised in Sidney, British Columbia, where he developed his early interest in mechanics and racing. His long career as a chassis builder for owners like Ralph Moody, Gary Kershaw, Roy Smith, and Hershel McGriff connected him to several prominent figures in stock car racing. He has not publicly discussed his parents or siblings in detail.
Personal Life
Smith is the president of SHOCKWAVE Marine Suspension Seats, a company that has also sponsored his racing efforts and those of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Derek Kraus. In 2020, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment in the United States. He continues to balance his business leadership with his racing career out of his base with Shockwave Motorsports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been David Smith’s most competitive year to date in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he finished the year seventh in the championship standings. This result marked his best finish in the series since his debut in 2022. His partnership with Shockwave Motorsports and the technical alliance with Naake-Klauer Motorsports provided a stronger platform for consistent results across the schedule.
Smith also expanded his racing activity by returning to the ARCA Menards Series for the 2025 General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway, building on his earlier appearance at the same track in 2023. His continued presence at Phoenix, a track that has become something of a staple on his schedule, highlights the trust between driver and team. With zero wins, zero top tens, and zero poles in the national ARCA series, his focus in 2025 was on gaining experience and improving his finishes.
Looking ahead, Smith remains committed to Shockwave Motorsports and the No. 05 Toyota program, with SHOCKWAVE Marine Suspension Seats continuing as his primary sponsor. His 2025 seventh-place ARCA West result has set a new benchmark for the veteran Canadian driver. As he continues to combine his role as a business executive with his passion for racing, Smith remains a unique and respected figure in the ARCA garage.