Precision and Pressure: R.K. Smithley Balances NASCAR Roots and Aerial Firefighting
When wildfires engulfed Southern California earlier this month, claiming 24 lives and destroying thousands of homes, Capt. R.K. Smithley, father of NASCAR Xfinity driver Garrett Smithley, was dispatched to the scene. Smithley, a veteran pilot, flies a repurposed DC-10 air tanker for 10 Tanker, a New Mexico-based aerial firefighting company. The craft, a former commercial airliner, now carries three tanks capable of dropping 85,000 pounds of fire retardant per run.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic first reported on Smithley’s critical role in combating the Palisades and Eaton fires, two of the most destructive in California’s history. “It takes kind of a little bit of a psycho, for lack of a better word, to adapt and excel,” Smithley told The Athletic.
The fires, spanning over 38,000 acres, presented unique challenges, with high winds creating dangerous flying conditions. “We’re doing all this in a 400,000-pound airplane, alongside a mountain doing 10 degrees, nose-down pitch,” Smithley said. “The airlines classify that as an emergency descent — that’s what we do routinely here.”
Smithley’s work requires navigating tightly coordinated airspace shared by helicopters and other tankers, each playing a role in the firefighting effort. Routes and drop zones are meticulously planned, with retardant colored reddish-pink to distinguish it on the ground.
Smithley is no stranger to high-pressure environments, a trait he shares with his son Garrett, who has made 266 starts across NASCAR’s top series. During downtime, Smithley’s 10 Tanker team often tunes in to watch Garrett race. “We’re all making left turns around the fire, watching each other to keep out of each other’s way,” Smithley joked, referencing NASCAR’s iconic ovals.
Smithley began his flying career in 1983 after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His aviation path is intertwined with his roots in volunteer firefighting, a family tradition passed down from his grandfather. Today, his work combines both passions.
Flying into the chaos of California’s wildfires was no easy start to 2025. “When I got here, I hadn’t flown since November,” Smithley admitted. “That first flight was pretty tense. The second was not quite as tense, and by the third, we were getting the feel for the route we were in.”
His reflections were poignant as he flew over neighborhoods reduced to ash. “You come over the top of hundreds of burned houses and cars, and all that’s left are foundations and ash,” Smithley shared. “It slaps you in the face thinking about the lives lost, people who’ve lost everything.”
The emotional toll is undeniable, but Smithley’s focus remains on the task at hand. “We have to shut that off and focus solely on putting the fire retardant down exactly where it’s needed,” he said.
Smithley’s connection to NASCAR runs deep. Garrett, who will drive full-time in SS-Green Light Racing’s No. 14 car in 2025, grew up watching his father navigate high-stakes situations. “There’s an equation between me and him as far as situational awareness,” Smithley said.
As wildfires increasingly affect regions like California, Smithley’s expertise underscores the critical role of aerial firefighters. His work, like his son’s races, is a testament to precision, skill, and resilience.
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