Pickerington’s Billy Smith Extends NDRL Points Lead With Win at Darana Raceway

Pickerington’s Billy Smith does a burnout for the semi-final round of competition during the NDRL World Nostalgia Drags, held Sept.13th and 14th at Darana Raceway in Hebron (formerly National Trail Raceway).

September 30, 2025
Photos and reporting by Pat Donahue

The Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) is made up of hundreds of highly competitive racers, chasing points across six classes in a six-event season that takes place throughout the Midwest.

Pickerington’s own Billy Smith, who races in the Pro 7.0 class — the fastest class in the series — opened the 2025 season with a win in St. Louis, earning the points lead, and has maintained it through stops in Bowling Green, KY; Indianapolis, IN; and Muncie, IN.

Smith came into the Columbus-area race with a three-point lead over rival Robbie Freels of Island, KY. The two met in the final round at Darana Raceway in Hebron (formerly National Trail Raceway), where Smith ran 6.989 seconds at 186 mph and Freels posted a 6.980. Since both racers broke out — running quicker than the 7.0 index — the win went to the driver closest to 7.0.

The 5th race of the season was the only NDRL event in Ohio this year, and the first time the league has raced at Darana Raceway, making it easier for friends and family to attend.

Family & Team Support

Smith’s daughter Riley handled the traditional “back-up” duties of guiding him back into his tire tracks after burnouts to ensure maximum traction. Riley is a Pickerington Central graduate and Otterbein University alumna, currently studying to become a veterinarian.

He also had the support of John Stallings of Nashville, who attends every race with him and handles crew duties and car maintenance between rounds.

Billy Smith got some on the track help from his daughter Riley guiding him back into his burnout tracks so that he gets the most traction possible to launch into his 186 mph run. Riley is a Pickerington Central graduate as well as an Otterbein University student studying to be a veterinarian – when she’s not busy trying to keep her dad straight.

Chasing Another Title

With the victory, Smith now holds a nine-point lead going into the NDRL season finale at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY, on Oct. 11–12. With a maximum of 30 points available at each event, the championship remains mathematically open, though Smith is in the strongest position heading into the final race.

Smith has been racing for 40 years and competing in the NDRL Pro 7.0 class since 2011. He previously won championships in 2014, 2018, and 2021. A resident of Pickerington since 1999, he lives with his wife Carrie and children Dillon and Riley, and works professionally as a pilot for NetJets.