With confidence soaring, Victory racer Angie Smith ready for season-finale
POMONA, CA – The confidence level of Victory Motorcycle racer Angie Smith is at its highest of the season as she 
prepares to race in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-finale, the 52nd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
A test at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two weeks ago confirmed to Smith and her Matt Smith Racing team that changes made were for the better. Smith’s Victory Gunner performed better than it had all season, and she matched her season-best by qualifying No. 11.
Then, during eliminations, Smith snared her first elimination win of the season.
“Yes, my confidence is as high as it’s been all season,” Smith said. “We tested out in Vegas before the Vegas race, and that went well. We flew home from that, and when we pulled the oil pan, we saw that the engine was hurt a little.
“So what we did after Vegas was fix the ‘A’ motor that goes in my bike. That was the ‘B’ motor we were running in Las Vegas. It ran well but I think we have another one that’s faster. We are going to have that one in for Pomona and we are going to get after it.”
Small, nagging issues with her Gunner have plagued Smith all season, and it understandably affected her confidence. But coming off one good race, Smith is looking for another big weekend to head into winter on a positive note.
“It would be awesome for Victory, Mark Stockseth, Lucas Oil and everyone that helps us to end the season on a high note,” Smith said. “We’ve just had one of those mediocre years, nothing to write home about, nothing to brag about. For us to pick the pace up right here, it would give us momentum through the off-season and it gives us all the drive and confidence and motivation to do more work in the winter.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions will run at 12 and 3 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action from 8:30-9:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).
