Smokey the Dragon is a large fire-breathing dragon and one of the top racers on Timber's Island.
During the events of Diddy Kong Racing Smokey was enslaved by the evil alien pig Wizpig into being one of his servants. After his brainwashing Smokey was intrusted with a piece of Wizpig's amulet.
Smokey would only allow someone to race him if they beat all the challenges in his area, Dragon Forest. Once all Dragon Forest's trials are beaten Smokey becomes raceable. During his race Smokey plays dirty, he will attempt to hit his opponent with puffs of fire which can cause his opponent to lose control of their vehicle briefly. If Smokey is beaten he manages to fight off the effects of Wizpig's control long enough to allow the victor of the race to gain access to Dragon Forest's Silver Coin challenges.
If all the Silver Coin challenges of Dragon Forest are beaten players can re-race Smokey. In this rematch Smokey flies much faster, he also produces much more fireball this time around. When Smokey is defeated once again he will break free of Wizpig's control and award the one who freed him with the piece of Wizpig's amulet he was charged with guarding.
Smokey also appears in Diddy Kong Racing's end-of-game celebration after the defeat of Wizpig.
Smokey may have been set to make a reappearance in the canceled game Donkey Kong Racing; as Taj the Genie, a character from Diddy Kong Racing was going to appear in it. It is unknown if Smokey was going to appear in Diddy Kong Racing's canceled Game Boy Advance sequel, Diddy Kong Pilot.
Smokey appears in Diddy Kong Racing DS which has him with a new voice and an easy foe. He produces no fireballs the first race and few the rematch. He sounds more evil-like in this game.