My opinion on Deal's Gap/The Dragon is that it got famous in part because of a photographer who set up there on weekends. Daryl Canon aka killboy.com takes pics there & he takes bike pics for folks to buy in addition to the wreck pics he takes. The trucks and all busting lanes - in pictures - gives the road a sort of notoriety it would not have were it not documented.
The killboy.com site is one I check regularly because for me it is entertaining. Have bought a number of pics from Dary & his wife Lori over the years. Use them as screensavers also - great pics - high def - remind me of riding the Smokies which I truly enjoy.
The Dragon tshirt shop also had a big part in it. No telling how many tshirts they sell in a year but it's a lot.
As to fun rides I like Hellbender as much or more and Waya road is always a blast, just to name a couple in the general area.