NASCAR, Liberty Alumnus, and Cancer Survivor

To some people, their name on a NASCAR would be a grand prize. To Doug Smith, it’s one more opportunity to share about God’s goodness.

Appomattox High School football coach and Liberty alumnus Doug Smith was featured on NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt’s race car Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Texas Speedway. The honor was a part of the NASCAR Foundation’s “Honor a Cancer Hero” partnership, an online auction where fans can bid to have the name of a cancer survivor put on a race car.

The beloved coach with over 30 years of experience at four different schools was given the honor as a reflection of the battle he fought a couple years prior. 

In the fall of 2020, Smith was given the devastating diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells. The high school coach, who had led his team to five state championships in six years, had to step away from the field to embark on a battle of his own — one he would eventually win. 

After months of treatment, Smith was officially given the title “cancer survivor” in 2021. He was able to return to the sidelines in September 2021 to coach his varsity team as it searched for another state championship title. 

Now, just over two years since his original diagnosis, the Maryland native received a public honor from NASCAR’s Earnhardt to share the strength of Smith with the nation. 

Smith’s road to getting his name on Earnhardt’s car began close to home. Smith’s daughter married Earnhardt’s car owner Sam Hunt, and the relationship between the father and son-in-law flourished.  

“He’s not one of these guys that have all this money to do what he wants to do,” Smith said of his son-in-law. “He just trusts the Lord.”

Rumors were already spreading before Smith was told the news.

“A lady came to me saying, ‘I think you’re supposed to be in Texas this weekend’,” Smith said. “I just kind of laughed.”

Shortly thereafter, Smith was sent a video from Hunt featuring Earnhardt officially announcing the honor. Not only was Smith humbled by the announcement, but he kept a spiritual perspective through it all. 

“I know it’s all the Lord,” Smith said, “It just gives us another platform to share Christ.” 

Not only has Smith developed a great relationship with team owner Sam Hunt, but he also developed a relationship with one of the team’s partners. 

That partner was Joe Karmie, the owner of one of the team’s sponsors Forever Lawn, a synthetic turf company. Karmie got to know Smith better through following Appomattox County High School football. 

“Whenever I would see him, or he would text me something about a game, I would be like ‘Wow’,” Smith said. “This guy is cool enough to not only sponsor a car in a NASCAR race but also follow a little team in Appomattox.”

This connection helped put the Appomattox County football helmet on Earnhardt’s car earlier this season at Nashville Superspeedway, according to WSET. Not only that, but Smith also talked about potentially partnering with Karmie to put a new field in at Appomattox High School. 

With these new connections, Smith’s platform to help his community continues to increase. More importantly, his platform to spread the gospel increases as well.

“So many people are now following car 26 because they have their coach on a car, or their helmet on a car,” Smith said. “People might now even listen to you more when you speak.” 

When asked about what the future holds for himself, Smith said that it’s not something that worries him. Rather, he is focused on what he is doing in the present moment.  

“I can’t wait to hug and kiss my kids,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to do the next great thing with our team. I can’t wait to do the next great thing God has for me.”

As Smith’s platform continues to increase, so does his humility and dependance on the work of God — a mindset that inspires many. 

“Doug is not only a hero, but also the epitome of resilience and grace,” Sam Hunt Racing said in a media release. “He’s a survivor, a leader and a fighter with an abundance of strength and courage. We love you, Doug!”  

Lipowski is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on twitter