Knucklehead Racing: “The Boat Will Run”

By Evan Schunck 2-26-2021

“I want to come out of the box in first place and stand there for the whole season. Win the National and the World Championship this year;” Ed Smith had a lot to say when proposed with the question of what his expectations are for the upcoming 2021 race season. The Knucklehead Racing team has been hit with major challenges this past year. From wondering where the team can race, the coronavirus pandemic, and the worst of all… Ed’s battle with cancer. 

Back in July 2020, Ed Smith was diagnosed with stage 3 Oropharynx Cancer (throat cancer), he decided against telling the team and his family right away and continued to press on through the race season ahead. In September of last year, Knucklehead Racing competed in the Crystal Coast Grand Prix in Morehead City, NC, taking home first place in the Extreme V class. A few weeks later the team returned to Morehead City to win the 2020 Offshore Powerboat World Championship. Through the hardships endured by COVID 19 and Ed battling a hidden cancer, Knucklehead Racing managed to pull out a successful winning season.

The team and race world went unknowing of Ed’s battle with cancer until it came to the point where Ed couldn’t hide it anymore. Ed was undergoing radiation five days a week, along with chemotherapy once a week. The treatment started taking a toll on Ed’s body and there was no keeping it away even from locals at the marina. In December 2020, Ed finally decided to inform the rest of the team of his ongoing battle with cancer. He didn’t want the cancer to be a distraction from the team’s focus on the 2021 race season. Through his conversations with the team, there was one thing he made clear to everyone, “the boat will race this year whether I'm in it or not, that boat will run.” 

Now Ed didn’t want this whole article to be about his cancer. He wanted it to be a formal announcement to the race world of what he is going through, but to also say Knucklehead Racing isn’t going anywhere. He tasked me with gathering information from the team to see where we are for the 2021 race season. 

Now based off the short season Knucklehead had last year, everything was dialed in and ready to go. The boat ran at it’s best since Ed took ownership of it. 

However, there’s a lot more to racing the Knucklehead boat than the two guys in the cockpit. It takes a team of talented individuals to get to the loading docks. 

Every year the team goes through the boat extensively, to fine tune, make adjustsments and repairs where needed. Ed’s long time best friend and mechanic, Jim Spranger, is the main greaser for the engine work. Last year, Jim spent countless hours putting in two Sterling performance V8 engines that would produce over 1800 horsepower combined. I sat down with Jim to ask him how the upcoming race season was looking. “Some of us are probably ready to go, but I know there’s one guy that isn’t ready to go,” is what Jim Spranger had to say when asked if the team was ready. He went on to mention that the season depends on the sponsors the team receives this year, and what cities would be able to host the events. Jim has high expectations for the season: “Well I’d like to win more, but I’d like to have some more competition in our class.” He went on to say that as long as everyone keeps doing what they’re doing and we will continue to have successful winning seasons. “Ed and Anthony can go out and beat up the boat, and we will put it back together if it breaks.” 

 While there is work always to be done on the inside of the boat, the exterior goes through its own cases. Jeff Diliberto does all the fiberglass repairs for the boat. Last year, the Knucklehead boat was completely stripped down for maintenance repairs on the body. Jeff typically does not travel with the team, but always looks forward to the race in St. Clair, Michigan. “My expectations are winning and having no fiberglass work for the boat, the haul is an amazing design and I have full confidence it will hold together,” Jeff replied when asked what he expected for the 2021 race season. I also had Ed’s son, Shawn Smith, sit down with Jeff when I interviewed him. Shawn is the backup throttleman for the boat and also does maintenance work around the shop, “The boat just needs a good bath and to just go out on the water.” Shawn and Jeff both have high expectations for the upcoming season and have a lot of confidence in the performance of the boat. Shawn and Jeff did have a little bit to say when I asked how Ed’s battle with cancer has affected the family and the work around the marina. “I think he's made it through all his treatments well and as long as he continues on the path he’s on I think he will do just fine, it is tough being down a guy around the marina, but we have to move on and get stuff done.” Jeff left off with a positive note saying that it gives everyone a little extra drive to push forward. “Ed’s a big strong guy and he will get through it.”

Getting the Knucklehead boat to be completely dialed in and on point requires a certain team member to access the brain’s of the boat to gather all the information and tune whatever is necessary. Rich Quandt is the computer man when it comes to the boat. He reads the computer chips in the boat and explains to Ed what they need to do in order for the team to reach its potential. “I'm just hoping everybody can get back to doing their thing, get back healthy, and get in the boat and have a good safe season. It’s one of the strongest boats out there, so why not continue that tradition,” Rich answered when asked about the upcoming season. When Rich received word from Ed, it was definitely a concern to him; “Everybody wants him to get back healthy and back in the seat, we are all pulling for him, and will stand behind him with whatever he does.” Last season was a limited season, but the boat was able to “stretch its legs” Rich added, the team is going to continue to roll and do what they do. 

Team member Rich York handles a lot of work that goes unnoticed. From helping out in the pits to snagging some photos from the race and even coordinating race events. Rich has one main thing he is looking for this season; “Someone to race against.” The boat ran flawlessly and with the circumstances of the pandemic, it caused some struggle for Knucklehead to race against. Rich is hoping the team will continue to be solid, obviously with the variable of Ed, but everyone will continue to do what they do. “The boat is not a question mark, the driver and the throttleman are not a question mark when they are in the boat,” Rich added. “The only thing we would be questioning is the competition.” Rich has been working with Ed for a few years now, and just like everyone it wasn’t easy to receive news of Ed’s cancer. However, Rich had some positive words to end off his interview: “Ed is probably one of the strongest, most dedicated and determined individuals I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with.” Rich continued to add that when it comes to Ed’s mindset, he already sees himself in the cockpit, which is hopefully more than half the battle, but it all comes down to how his body heals. “Once Ed is able to get in the boat and run it, I’m sure he’ll run it like he’s never run it before.”

The second most important guy in the cockpit of the boat is the throttleman. Anthony Smith has been operating the throttle for some time. Located out in New Jersey I spoke with Anthony on the phone to get his perspective on this upcoming season. Anthony believes everyone on the team is ready to go. His only question about the team was about Jim Spranger, he recntly moved away from St. Clair, Michigan. Anthony added that even if Ed isn’t able to drive the boat in time, a new driver will be put in place to cover for Ed. “I’m just hoping we can draw out a couple more boats for our class,” Anthony said when asked about his expectations. Looking ahead at the schedule Anthony mentioned they will be hitting if not all, but most of the races that Brit Lilly is competing in. Anthony’s focus is on getting the boat into the water, he is not worried about Ed’s battle with cancer. “Nobody wants to hear that anybody comes down with cancer, but he (Ed) has a good head on his shoulders, I have my fingers crossed that he will get through this easily and will be in that seat for the race” Anthony answered on the topic of Ed’s cancer. Anthony also touched on last season, since it was a short season, they were able to run the boat a few times to test new props and set ups to help improve for the upcoming race season. 

At the heart of the team lies Julie Kimmel, the one who keeps the team running smoothly. Julie is in charge of gathering all of the sponsors for the boat, as well as scheduling all hotels, and completing all necessary paperwork. Julie has been handling Ed’s cancer hands on since the beginning. If it wasn’t for Julie, the team wouldn’t be where it is today. When I first received news of Ed, it was from a phone call from Julie. Not the most pleasant phone call to receive, but on the other end of the line Julie managed to stay strong and have confidence through it all. These are all characteristics that play a huge role in the team. 

Now this is only my second year with the team and it has definitely been an experience so far. By chance I was introduced to Ed and began talking about the work I do. Immediately Julie wanted me on the team to start producing media content for Knucklehead Racing. This was my first “big” contract I would have with a client and I am honored to keep working with them. I was shocked when I first heard news about Ed, especially since he had cancer through the race season and no one knew about it. From the little time I have known Ed, I know he will make the smartest and safest choice when it comes to race time. Looking forward to the 2021 race season there is a lot to expect, the boat will preform at it’s best and continue to be the loudest one on the water. Even though COVID has been a major challenge, the race world will press on and wave those checkered flags at the end of the day. 

All around the team had very similar things to say about the upcoming season and Ed’s battle with cancer. Ed is a strong man and will push through, all that is left in his battle is for his body to heal. I had the opportunity to speak with Ed during his battle: “I’ve been racing for 26 years,” Ed said, “I’ve been racing long enough to know if I can do the job or not.” One thing Ed wanted to make clear to everyone is that he will not put anyone in harm's way. If he has to he will put a new driver in the boat until he is healthy enough to do the job himself. Ed speaks highly of his whole team and states he wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for them. “I think I have one of the best mechanical teams, and my throttle-man is the best in the v-bottom boat,” Ed stated, “We have the best of the best so there’s no reason to not knock out everyone.” Ed is looking forward to this upcoming season and hoping to be in the cockpit when the boat hits the water on April 30th in Ocean City, Maryland.