NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

If not for Karen Stoffer, who lit up Gainesville Raceway with a string of record-breaking runs and a victory, much of the attention in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class would currently be focused on Angie Smith, and rightly so.

Smith didn’t win in Gainesville but in her eyes, she did everything right, and when one analyzes the bigger picture, perhaps that’s even more important than a victory. In Smith’s case, it provides a lot of hope and optimism for the future.

“Yeah, I’d say we did pretty well in Gainesville; I would give myself an A for sure,” said Smith. “I’ve never started a season off like this. We had a problem with my bike all last year, the entire season. Matt rode it during a test session in Las Vegas in November and we finally found the issue. Since then, it’s been awesome.”

To quickly review; Smith, like the rest of NHRA’s two-wheel racers, went into Sunday’s eliminations in Gainesville with zero data after qualifying was called off due to weather-related issues. Despite the lack of seat time, Smith opened eliminations with a modest 6.81 and then got progressively quicker on the next three runs with a 6.76, 6.73, and 6.72, all of them career bests. She was also over 200-mph on all four runs, a feat that remains a rarity.

“I didn’t get to test as much as I wanted to this winter,” said Smith. “I missed one test because I had Covid. We eventually went to Orlando the week before Gainesville. I had a whole new clutch set-up and we ran well, but not exactly where we felt we should have.

“Our plan heading into Gainesville was to run one clutch on Friday, and then make a change. Obviously with no qualifying, that didn’t happen. We just stayed with the set-up from last year. A lot of people were scared to race on Sunday with no qualifying, but I wasn’t one of them. I knew what we had. I think I had the most confidence of anyone out there.

“In the final when it ran 6.72, I knew it was a good run,” Smith said. “You can tell by how fast the gear changes come. I honestly, thought I’d run about 6.72 to 6.75. That wasn't just my career-best. It's also the first time in my life I’ve been quicker than Matt. He always one-ups me, but not this time. This is also the first time I’ve been No. 2 in points. Normally, I don’t get going until about Norwalk so that's really exciting.”

The landscape of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class is changing with an increasing number of racers choosing to go with the Suzuki brand. That includes Smith’s husband, Matt, the five-time and reigning champ. Matt Smith rode a new Suzuki in Gainesville, a bike he’s preparing for their new teammate, Jianna Salinas. Jimmy Underdahl has also joined the Smith team, also on a Suzuki.

Even though outnumbered three-to-one in her own camp, Smith is sticking with her bright pink Denso Buell. In addition to her runs in Gainesville, this is the same bike that carried her to a career-best 203.06 mph speed in Sonoma last year. Smith is one of just two full-time riders, along with Ryan Oehler, who remain committed to the V-twin engine platform.

“To answer the question, we’re sticking with the Buell as long as I don’t get outrun by a tenth every race," Smith said. "I ran 6.72 in the final, but I couldn’t go a 6.66. I’m not sure there’s many others besides Karen who could. Maybe Angelle [Sampey] and Matt, once he gets the new bike figured out. I’ve ridden a V-twin for 12-13 years, and as long as I feel that I’m competitive, I’m okay.

“Over the winter, I did have thoughts that I’d get left behind,” Smith said. “There are a lot of fast Suzuki’s in the mix now and I thought I might come to Gainesville and qualify 9-11. I was not happy about it at all, but Matt kept telling me, ‘You’re going to be okay. Your bike is fixed and it’s going to be fast.” He was right, and I have confidence right now.”

Confidence hasn’t always been a strong suit for Smith, even as she approaches her 200th start in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. She finally got her first win in 2013 against Matt in Epping, and scored again in Las Vegas at the end of the 2020 season. Last year, Smith went to just two semifinals and did not appear in a final round so she’s already bettered that.

“I think I’ve come a long way in that time,” Smith said. “Matt and I used to butt heads a lot. I didn’t want to listen to him at first. I wanted to do it my way. Eventually, I learned that he knows what he’s talking about, and he’s a good teacher. He can get everything out of a motorcycle. Now, I’m willing to accept constructive criticism.”

Following her Gainesville performance, Smith would like nothing more than to go racing again, but the Pro Stock Motorcycle class doesn’t rejoin the Camping World NHRA tour until the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston, still a month away. The Smith’s plan to use that time wisely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean an extended test session.

“Oh, we’re going testing, but I’ve already been told that I don’t need to test,” Smith said with a laugh. “Matt will run the Suzuki next week and I’ll go to support the team. I know about mechanics in general, but there are some subtle differences in the Suzuki so I need to pay attention and learn. As for my bike, it’s sitting in the shop and it hasn’t been touched since Gainesville. We’re going to change valve springs and put it back together for Q1 at Houston. That’s a plan I agree with.”

The next time Smith races in Houston, her team might also have a different look. It’s not clear yet when she’ll be riding but at some point, Jianna Salinas will return following the injuries she suffered in a pre-season testing accident. Smith is looking forward to racing alongside Salinas and Underdahl this season.

“They are both great people and they’re willing to learn,” Smith said. “The same goes for [crew chiefs] Greg [Underdahl] and Gary [Stoffer]. We do some things differently here at Matt Smith Racing and it’s going to be a learning experience for everyone. We have a formula that works here and so far, everyone has been willing to adopt that theory. Matt can be hard-headed but the thing he cares most about is our team winning. We all share that common goal.”