Angie Smith Aims to Continue Playoff Ascent in Championship Countdown
Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Angie Smith Aims to Continue Playoff Ascent at Texas NHRA Fallnationals
Among all competitors in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, nobody has made a bigger move in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs than Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Angie Smith.
She’s jumped up four spots to third place in just two playoff races in the category, but Smith isn’t satisfied and will get the chance to move up even more at this weekend’s 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. Smith trails her husband, defending world champion and event winner Matt Smith, by 90 points, while Joey Gladstone is just 21 points out of first.
She has raced well during the Countdown to the Championship, advancing to the final round in Reading to open the postseason on her Denso Auto Parts Buell. She’s also been consistent and avoided an early loss in St. Louis, putting Smith in position to try and win a championship as she aims for her first win of the season this weekend in Dallas.
“All the races in the Countdown in this class are tough, so you have to put your best foot forward,” Smith said. “You can have some bumps in the road during the regular season and then be flawless in the Countdown and come out well. Having momentum is important and it’s all about just making good runs down the track. I feel more prepared, and I have a good motorcycle that’s making consistent runs. It’s all about putting your head down and trying to focus on the big prize.”
Riding what she believes is the best bike she’s ever been on has certainly helped, but Smith also admits she’s better prepared to handle those mental challenges at the biggest races of the season. That’s been evident, as she has advanced to a pair of final rounds this season, also qualifying No. 1 in Virginia. But grinding out wins in the Countdown to the Championship isn’t easy, as Smith will also have to deal with the likes of Eddie Krawiec, Jerry Savoie, Steve Johnson, and Angelle Sampey in Dallas. Still, Smith is driven when it comes to chasing the perfection that is needed during the postseason and she’s ready to tackle the challenge this weekend.
“One hundred percent, this is the best bike and the best year I’ve ever had, and I’ve learned a lot,” Smith said. “But drag racing is a humbling sport and that’s why every lap counts. You have to put your best foot forward and make the best run possible, try to make it perfect and then you will have a shot. I feel confident going into this race that we’re going to keep making those good runs, but you have to be perfect in the Countdown and I have to be focused on what I’m doing.”
The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the final race of the season in Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown and the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon. David Barton is the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown points leader, while Kris Thorne leads the way in Pro Mod as both look to capture a world title in Dallas. The weekend will also include action in Top Fuel Harley, as well as the Jr. Dragster Shootout. Fans can also attend Nitro School the on Saturday in Scott Palmer’s pits to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Dallas. This unique opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family. The new Pep Boys midway display includes tire change challenges, oil change challenges, a slot car track, and much more, adding even more excitement to the midway.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 7:05 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 14, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 16. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10:00 a.m. ET and as well as action from eliminations on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
ABOUT CAMPING WORLD
Camping World, headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, is America’s leading retailer of RVs and related products and services, offering an extensive assortment of recreational vehicles for sale, RV and camping gear, RV maintenance and repair, other outdoor and active sports products, and the industry’s broadest and deepest range of services, protection plans, products and resources. Since the Company’s founding in 1966, Camping World has grown to become one of the most well-known destinations for everything RV, with more than 170 locations in 38 states and a comprehensive e-commerce platform. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com. Camping World’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWH”.
ABOUT NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown and Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Series. Twice a year, NHRA hosts a ‘race-within-a-race,’ during the JEGS Allstars and Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle specialty competitions. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. With over 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing-related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is America’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy, and our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of associates serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enables us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With over 185 locations in 40 states, Camping World, and sister company Gander RV, have grown to become prime destinations for everything RV. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com.
