 Smith entered karting competition at the age of 14 and won 6 championships in multiple IKF divisions.In 1985 he moved up to Formula Ford scoring 4 race wins in two seasons and then advanced to Formula Super Vee.After winning the 1989 United States Formula Super Vee Championship with 5 wins and 4 poles, Mark raced in Indy Lights from 1990 to 1992, finishing 3rd in series points his rookie year, and 2nd in 1991 capturing 3 wins and 5 poles along the way .