NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Angie Smith went to a pair of final rounds last season and finished a very respectable fourth in the Mission Foods Pro Stock Motorcycle standings, but she knows she’s capable of better results, and she’s determined to do just that as the season kicks off at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

Smith opened the 2025 season by riding her Denso Buell to a solid 6.702 in Gainesville, and ended it with a runner-up finish in Las Vegas. All told, she won 18 rounds. Smith was particularly effect during the critical Countdown to the Championship phase, where we won nine rounds. By comparison, eventual world champ Richard Gadson was only marginally better with 13 round wins.

This winter, Smith and her husband Matt, put in a lot of hours in their King, N.C.shop and also tested extensively in an effort to improve their four-bike team that also includes Jianna Evaristo and John Hall. They made a lot of runs and in Smiths view, they also made a lot of progress as they attempt to take the fight to the rival Vance & Hines team.

“I didn't have a bad year., and the countdown was really good for me,” said Smith. “I think I won more rounds in the Countdown than anybody on this team, so that says a lot. We were more focused on the first 10 races of figuring out what worked and what didn’t. The main goal is always for one of us to win the championship but that didn’t happen so next best thing is for us to do the best we can in the Countdown, and I feel like we did.

“This winter, we really worked hard on the dyno. We have went through every single engine that we have, and that’s 11 for all four bikes. We went through every single motor just make sure all the parts are good. Even though a motor ran well at the last race doesn’t mean it will be good to start a new year. We improved some things, we worked really hard on the dyno. I would say that we probably at least made 40 to 50 pulls on the dyno, so we’re really just working hard on improving our performance.”

During one pre-season test session in Bradenton, Matt made 14 runs in two days while testing two bikes, including a new chassis. That bike remains an option for later this year although Smith has opted to stick with his venerable “Red Rocket” the bike that holds the current speed record at more than 205 mph.

Smith’s hectic off-season also included an appearance at the  Women in Auto Care Leadership conference in Ft. Worth Texas. Smith represented longtime sponsor Denso and helped raise well over $100,000 in scholarship funds for women in the auto care industry.

“It was a great experience and I enjoyed it a lot,” said Smith. “Denso auctioned off a full trip to the Denso Sonoma Naitonals this year. It’s an all expense paid trip that includes airfare, hotel, tickets, and hospitality. . All of the money raised is used to benefit the women in the auto care industry for scholarships, toolkits, whatever they need. to further their career.

“I also got to go through all the classes and seminars. It was all about leadership, how to work as a team and how to improve a business. It’s all things that we could apply to the race team. I was  surprised at how many people knew who I was and what I did for a living. I’m thankful to go, and I hope we get a chance to go back next year.”

Looking forward to the 2026 season, Smith’s goals are simple.  She wants to do better than last season.

“We put a lot of hard work and effort, and we are out here competing with the top team out here, [Vance & Hines]” Smith said. “That says a lot about our program. They have all the resources and all the tools that anybody could imagine and we’re right there with them.

There’s also the not-so-small matter of the striking 75th anniversary Wally trophy that has been the talk of the sport. Everyone wants one of those, including every member of the Smith team.

“Anytime there's a special edition Wally, it’s always our goal to get one and this year’s is awesome. It’s NHRA’s 75th anniversary and you know us girls, we love diamonds. I’d love nothing more than to see all four of us get one this year.”