Sun editorial cartoonist talks NASCAR illustrations, being confronted by Kurt Busch

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Friday, May 15, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Mike Smith has been the Las Vegas Sun's editorial cartoonist for 32 years, producing daily commentary on issues ranging from presidential elections to celebrity news.

Less well known to some Smith's World readers, Smith also draws a weekly NASCAR-themed cartoon, which is syndicated in papers across the country and widely recognized by fans of the sport.

Smith recently sat down with The Sporting News to chat about the inspiration for his cartoons and how he got into the business. Here are a few highlights from the interview:

On how he got into editorial cartooning

Mike Smith: I started drawing cartoons for my campus newspaper when I was in college, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. When I saw how much reaction and trouble I was getting into drawing these cartoons, I thought "This will be a great way to make a living."

On how he became the Sun's editorial cartoonist

MS: I ended up having to support myself by pumping gas for National Car Rental at LAX airport. After doing that for about eight months, I got a job offer from Hertz and they wanted me to go into management training and I was going to take the job ... So I called the editor at the Sun and I said, "I've got this job offer from Hertz and this cartooning thing doesn't seem to be happening." The editor said, "You tell Hertz to stick it up their a—." The next day the Sun hired me, I packed up my car and drove from LA to Vegas.

On the most memorable reaction to one of his NASCAR cartoons

MS: I think probably the wildest response I've had from a driver was Kurt Busch. He once confronted me in the garage area and was very upset with me for the cartoon I had done on him. He was sticking his finger in my chest and I think he was saying "You hose me every time, Mike, you hose me every time."

Read the full interview at Sporting News.