New For 2025

Below are some changes coming for 2025 in an effort to improve the overall experience at Ponies In The Smokies, presented by National Parts Depot:

Car Show

  • We are pairing judges and they will be assigned entire classes to judge for improved consistency across all classes.
  • Each scoring sheet will be initialed by the judges for better accountability.
  • Judging sheet buy-back program where registrants can elect to purchase a scanned and emailed copy of their judging sheet after the show’s conclusion.
  • We are decreasing the Shine Run Bonus Points from 5pts to 2pts on the car show judging sheet.
  • We are dropping the Drag Racing Bonus Points from the car show judging sheet.
  • Spectator parking at Soaky Water Park is now $20 per car.

Coffee and Camshafts

  • Chris Cervenka is getting the early bird with his inaugural Coffee and Camshafts event Thursday morning from 8:00am to 11:00am at Quaker Steak & Lube.

Shine Run

  • We are extending the Shine Run from 3-days to 4-days so it now runs from Monday to Thursday.
  • Adopting the Poker Chip System last year improved fairness which will remain in place going forward.
  • As always, the Shine Run stops have rotated to include new locations while keeping some crowd favorites.  (see the Shine Run page for full details)

Shine Run Party

  • Remains on Thursday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, but is changing venues to the Hard Rock Cafe.
  • Remains sponsored by ClearShine Products and Red Mirror Events & Apparel, but is now hosted by Rockin’ The Smokies.
  • Long time host location Junction 35 Spirits is staying involved with the Shine Run as a new stop for 2025.  

Driving Experience

  • We are moving our Driving Experience from Smokies Stadium to Newport Speedway.
  • We are expanding the Driving Experience from 2-days to 3-days.
  • Newport Speedway charges a separate per person gate fee beyond the registration fees(free parking).
  • Autocross gets a dedicated full day on Tuesday.
  • The Newport Speedway oval provides for a new segment “Fun Runs” around the oval on Wednesday morning.
  • We are dropping “Shotgun Alley” from the general program, although it still remains a KOTS segment.

Dyno

  • Powercurve Motorsports will be at Newport Speedway all day from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
  • The Dyno will not be part of the Friday and Saturday program at Sevierville Convention Center