Q: What is causing my front driver side tire to smoke?

It sounds like the left front brake was stuck in the applied position. The constant friction overheated the brake pads and they started smoking. Heating up may have caused the brake fluid temperature to reach it’s boiling point. Even though it seemed normal after sitting, there is a hydraulic issue. First, the brake caliper itself may not be releasing fully. That can be caused by the caliper piston not retracting or even the caliper hardware sticking, not allowing the caliper to slide back to the released position. Another possibility can be the rubber brake hose. With age, the internals of the hose ca separate, causing a small flap of material to block brake fluid flow. It can act as sort of a 1-way valve. The brake fluid traveled to the caliper from the master cylinder, but that "flap" may not have allowed the fluid to go back, keeping the brake applied.

Another possibility can be the master cylinder itself. There can be an issue with the port to the left front wheel not allowing proper fluid travel. Have a certified technician inspect the brake system to find the correct cause.

What you’re describing here appears to be an indication of a locked up wheel that caused your tire to "skid" which created the smoke and loss of acceleration. In some cases this is caused by a malfunctioning brake master cylinder, caliper or brake rotor that is warped. If you "mashed" on the brake pedal and the issue went away, you should have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake system inspection as soon as possible to determine what is causing this potentially dangerous situation to occur.