Drag Illustrated Issue 118, February 2017 | Page 104
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Angie Smith
W
Back on a Buell
hen Polaris Industries announced this January that it
would cease production of its Victory Motorcycles line, fans of
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing began to wonder how the
move would affect the Victory-backed team of Matt and Angie Smith.
The husband-wife duo had just completed their two-year partnership
with the Victory brand, which included working with the company to
develop the Victory Gunner Pro Stock Motorcycle bodies and engines.
While Matt unveiled a new Polaris-branded Victory Cross Country
motorcycle at the class’ season-opening NHRA Gatornationals this
March, Angie was back on a Buell similar to the one she rode to victory
over her husband in the final round at the 2014 NHRA New England
Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire.
“I’m back on a Buell and super excited about 2017,” Angie Smith said.
“I’ve had a lot of success racing Buells in the past and we’ve been able to
keep at the forefront of the technology with those bikes through the var-
ious customers we help so I expect we’ll be strong right from the start.”
Sure enough, Angie kicked off the season with a promising showing
at the Gatornationals. She recorded a 6.848 at a career-best 197.77 mph
to qualify one spot ahead of Matt in the ninth spot. Smith was on her
way to a holeshot win over past US Nationals champion Steve John-
son when her motorcycle wouldn’t shift - an unlucky break that will no
doubt push the motivated motorcycle racing veteran to come back with
a vengeance at the next stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Series tour.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY RICK BELDEN
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