Thu, 13 Feb 2020, 12:12 PM New and Returning Sponsors Bring Will Smith, Hirata Motorsports into Pursuit of 2020 TAD Regional Title

By Lisa Collier Hirata Motorsports Photo

INDIANAPOLIS -- Coming off a very strong 2019, Will Smith and the Hirata Motorsports Top Alcohol Dragster team are finding their stride. They finished third in North Central Regional points standings for 2019 and currently sit second in JEGS Allstars in the North Central Region.

Smith and Hirata will welcome their faithful line up of partners Lucas Oil, Protect the Harvest, NGK Spark Plugs, Schepel Buick/GMC/Cadillac, TeaCo Geophysical, 4G Transportation, ProThings Apparel and Race Ugly Speed Shop in pursuit of the 2020 title, and are proud to announce a new partnership with Industrial Shelving & Equipment of Kankakee, IL.

"We're very excited to welcome Industrial Shelving & Equipment to the team," stated Smith. "(Owner) John Blumenthal is an outstanding business man and all around great guy. He's been a longtime fan of motorsports and the company is poised to go nationwide, which makes the partnership with an NHRA drag racing team a perfect fit."

Industrial Shelving & Equipment (ISE) provides new and used pallet rack and warehouse equipment to small, medium, and large corporations, as well as individual buyers and work with many farming operations. With over 25 years' experience and a commitment to customer service, ISE has the knowledge and service for a wide variety of projects.

"We're proud to come on board with Will Smith and the Hirata Motorsports Team," added Blumenthal. "We hope to cross promote and help each other elevate our brands. Will's commitment and expertise in marketing brings value to the partnership, and I believe we can both benefit from this. Our company does a lot of work within the automotive industry, as well as agricultural, residential and many more."

Smith and Hirata already had plans to pursue the NHRA Lucas Oil North Central Regional Championship, as well as a number of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing National Events. The new partnership with ISE will allow them to include more events in their 2020 schedule.

Smith is currently second in JEGS Allstars and hopes to remain a contender for the prestigious event at the Route 66 Nationals.

"We've been gaining ground each year," Smith elaborated. "Our team really gelled last year and made great strides. I know this team is capable of winning the Allstars and the Regional Championship."

Performing well on-track is obviously the goal in drag racing, but Smith and Hirata are arguably one of the more well-rounded teams, utilizing the many-sided strengths of their team. From the "Mullet Mafia" to their tribute dragster, they market on every side and have a great time doing it.

"We'll have the same team going into 2020," stated Dave Hirata, owner of the dragster and tuning mastermind. "Having the continuity of our team and sponsors is a huge plus for this season. It allows us to continue to build upon the program and our strengths. It's going to be a great year."

Will Smith Motorsports and Hirata Motorsports thank partners Lucas Oil, Protect the Harvest, NGK Spark Plugs, Schepel Buick/GMC/Cadillac, 4G Transportation, Industrial Shelving & Equipment, TeaCo Geophysical, ProThings Apparel, Race Ugly Speed Shop, Hirata's Lowell Body Shop, Hirata's Lowell Automotive, Hirata's Hammer'd Customs, R&R Connecting Rods, and Strange Engineering.

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