THE DUMONT SMITH STORY
By Rick Anges
“Money has ruined racing, Richard Childress is a cousin of mine”, said Dumont Smith, the 1967 winner of Governors Cup when asked recently about the cost of racing, “It costs him more to win a championship then he makes in NASCAR.”
Dumont Smith is a quiet man with along history of racing in Florida. From New Smyrna to Miami he competed with the best of the best. Dumont is credited with building some of the first houses in his still hometown of Satellite Beach. He has a problem with his voice these days because of owning his own construction business and having inhaled the mold left in house he repaired from the storms in south Florida. But he still has plenty to say.
He ran the circuit most of the year but it was the end of the year championship races at each track he made sure to be at. “Those were the ones that paid the most money”, he said. The building contractor from Satellite Beach Fl. always looked at it as a hobby not a living although at times he sometimes wished he had.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
And even though it was a hobby he still took it quite serious, out there to win each time he rolled out onto whichever speedway he had picked that night. When asked why he thought he would win the 67 race he said, “I’m out there to win, I’m hungrier than them.” And you could tell he meant every word.
Smith also does not pull any punches when talking about racing in years gone by. He said that his car (a 1957 Chevrolet) the he had won the 67 race with was worth about $10,000. When asked if that was a lot of money he quickly responded with “some them boys from Miami with that dope money had a lot more in their cars.” Driving the same car that another well known Miami driver also drove he couldnt believe the things that were being put into the car to make it win. Thats why he left the racing scene in South Florida because he knew that they knew what they were doing to go-fast was wrong. He headed north out of the area with his pistol between his legs and never looked back.
He was the third man to have his name inscribed on the coveted Governors Cup Trophy. That day he left the track with about $1,800 in winnings but it was worth much more. This race held so much prestige that it made the winner and instant celebrity in the Short Track Wars of the day. All the big races would pay them appearance money. The stars of the time would be paid to race, imagine that. “I was paid $175 just to show up”, said Smith. Two races a week was a good payday back then.
Gordon Solie was the veteran racers answer when asked who was the best promoter of his time. Gordon and Dumont were really good friends but that didnt stop Gordon from paying a driver to take him out. “It damn near killed me, my wife saw him pay the guy then, I damn near killed him!” Smith said. The most honest people he ever raced for were the people who ran Hialeah, “When they told you they was paying you something they paid you that he said.”
Dumont still lives in his original home with his wife Sarah in Satellite Beach they have two children Lance and Linda. He was one of the earliest settlers of the town and Lance was the first child born there after its incorporation in 1957.
From his early days of running the bullrings of the Carolinas to winning Floridas most prestigious race Dumont Smith has seen and done more in Florida racing then the front stretch grandstands at any given track on Saturday night. He is truly a treasure to the sport and a direct link to its history.
If you happen to get to see the Al Keller Governors Cup Trophy make sure to look at the third name on it. Dumont doesnt get out to many races anymore but if you happen to see him at a track, tip your hat, shake his hand and say thanks.
