Madison, Illinois – October 1, 2023 – NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Angie Smith suffered a harrowing incident during qualifying for the NHRA Midwest Nationals at the World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday afternoon. Smith, an accomplished rider and wife of six-time series champion Matt Smith, encountered a frightening mishap in the shutdown area during her qualifying run.
Entering the second session of professional qualifying in the 13th position, Angie Smith showcased her prowess by improving her standing to number eight. She clocked an impressive 6.880-second run at a speed of 198.93 mph in the left lane, going head-to-head with Cory Reed. However, the joy of her improved performance quickly turned to concern as she reportedly became separated from her DENSO-backed Buell at a high rate of speed.
The incident unfolded so suddenly that the NHRA on FOX cameras had to cut away from the run before the specifics of the accident were captured. This left her crew, race officials, and fans watching from home in a state of uncertainty for several tense moments.
Thankfully, Angie Smith remained conscious and alert throughout the ordeal, a testament to the safety measures and equipment in NHRA racing. NHRA Safety Safari officials promptly arrived at the scene to provide assistance. Following initial treatment, Angie was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and care.
Later in the evening, the team’s public relations representative, Sadie Glenn, shared an update confirming Angie Smith’s injuries. She suffered two broken ankles and sustained significant road rash during the incident. Angie was expected to spend the night at the hospital and was scheduled to meet with a skin graft surgeon to address her injuries on Sunday.
In a display of unwavering support, her husband Matt Smith and teammate Jianna Evaristo immediately withdrew from their respective race activities following the incident. They rushed to be by Angie’s side at the hospital. As of now, no official confirmation has been provided regarding their status for raceday. Matt Smith and Jianna Evaristo entered the event in the number two and six positions, respectively, adding an additional layer of uncertainty to their team’s weekend.
Angie Smith’s frightening incident serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with motorsports, even in NHRA, where safety is paramount. The entire NHRA community stands with Angie and her family, wishing her a swift and full recovery. Updates on her condition and the status of Matt Smith and Jianna Evaristo for raceday will be eagerly awaited by fans and fellow competitors alike.
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