Angie Smith is one of the most recognized female riders in the National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Known for her aggressive riding style, resilience, and technical involvement with her race program, she has built a respected career in one of drag racing’s most competitive categories.
Early life and background
Smith is a North Carolina native who developed a passion for motorsports early in life. Before reaching the national stage, she raced in sportsman and regional motorcycle drag racing events, building experience and earning respect in a male-dominated sport. In interviews, she has spoken about the importance of toughness, preparation, and earning credibility through performance.
NHRA career
Angie competes in NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle division, riding primarily for the Matt Smith Racing team. She is married to fellow champion rider Matt Smith, and together they operate one of the top teams in the class. Career highlights include:
- First NHRA national event win (2013) — She defeated Matt Smith in an all-Smith final round at Epping, New Hampshire, marking a major milestone in her career.
- Second national event win (2020) — She captured another Wally trophy at the NHRA Finals in Las Vegas.
- 200 mph milestone (2020) — Angie became the first woman in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle history to exceed 200 mph, running 200.89 mph in qualifying at the Texas FallNationals. This made her part of the elite DENSO 200-mph club.
- By career statistics, she has multiple NHRA event wins and remains a consistent top-10 championship contender.
Adversity and comeback
In 2023, Smith suffered a high-speed accident during qualifying in St. Louis after becoming separated from her motorcycle in the shutdown area. Despite the crash, she returned to competition later that season after medical clearance, reinforcing her reputation as one of the toughest riders in the class.
Legacy
Angie Smith has become an important figure for women in motorsports. Her combination of competitiveness, mechanical knowledge, and persistence has made her a fan favorite and a role model for younger racers entering motorcycle drag racing. If you’re an NHRA fan, one of the things that stands out about Angie is that she’s not just a rider —she’s deeply involved in the tuning, setup, engine assembly and management of the team side of racing as well.
