Every professional sport needs engagement that leaves a mark on its fanbase, and NASCAR is no exception. Dylan “Mamba” Smith proclaims himself as “NASCAR’s Hype-man”, bringing his positive energy and enthusiasm everywhere he goes. A few of his roles consist of engaging fans on social media, co-hosting a podcast with a champion of the sport and a seasoned broadcaster, working select races in the ARCA Menards Series for Fox Sports as a pit reporter and being the host of driver introductions at select races throughout the year. Smith also does a lot of video content for NASCAR on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and various social media platforms.
“When I was at Stewart-Haas Racing, Kevin Harvick asked me to join his podcast and I was honored. Coming up, I always wanted to drive for Stewart-Haas and I was always a big Kevin and DeLana Harvick fan.” Smith says. “we’ve always had a good relationship and now they’re like family to me. To be able to do that with someone you’re close with is an honor and I have a lot of fun talking trash with Kevin on our podcast and outside of it as well. I think it’s interesting coming from different backgrounds and having different views, but we often agree on a lot of the same things at the same time. With Kaitlyn (Vince), she’s one of the top hosts in all sports, and does a very good job. A lot of our show is based on her notes and you can’t take her away from our show and still have a show. We’ve only been doing this since February and we’re just getting started and hopefully, our show wins some awards soon.”
Media is a ballgame of its own and racing media is no exception. For television production of racing, there’s play-by-play announcing, which Mike Joy does for NASCAR on Fox and pit reporting, which former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Regan Smith does. Smith has been a pit reporter for several ARCA Menards Series this season and hasn’t ruled out doing more of those broadcasts.
“Many broadcasters come from a journalistic and reporting background and I just don’t. My journey has been very unique and one of my own and I try to lean on Parker Kligerman and Regan Smith, since they have a bit of the driving background. I try to bring some fun and energy like Rutledge Wood and Kenny Wallace and then I try to be able to turn it off and lock in. I was able to do the Truck race at Indianapolis since my colleague, Josh Sims, got called to do something else last minute and asked if I could step in. I think I’m getting better at it, but it’s kind of sporadic, with Dover and Talladega being back to back and I was originally supposed to only do two. I would love to do more, and I’m a team player who’s happy to plug in at any moment. I don’t think there’s anything in the digital space that I can’t do. I’ve never done play-by-play, but I would love to do more races with the new television contracts giving races to TNT and CW, but I’m down to do whatever I can, even with Fox.
Prior to getting deep into media, Smith was a race car driver who held his own behind the wheel and had backing from Haas Automation during his late model days.
“I would say there’s a possibility of me getting back behind the wheel. With Parker (Kligerman), he was running part-time in the #75 NASCAR Craftsman Truck and got a fully funded NASCAR Xfinity Series ride in the #48. It takes a lot to be a full-time driver but I’d love to run ARCA and do more than one race a year. I feel like with the right opportunity, I could win a race or two and I would definitely jump back behind the wheel if I can. My priority right now is to bring good analysis to the people on TV, but I’ll never turn down an opportunity to drive race cars. I’m putting the most emphasis on being the best broadcaster that I can be for Fox Sports and NASCAR. Right now, I can’t be in the driver’s seat, but never say never.”
Every week, you can catch Mamba Smith on the Happy Hour Podcast with Kevin Harvick and Kaitlyn Vincie, which is uploaded on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. He is also in the pits for select ARCA Series Races and will possibly do more. Subscribe to NASCAR on Fox’s YouTube page to catch every podcast upload twice a week.
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