The first annual Potomac NHRA Nationals at Maryland International Raceway gave many fans and teams hope that we would see a first time winner, a new winner, or a feel good story in the winners circle. Angie Smith delivered a win for the Maryland fans that checked off all of the boxes, including capturing the milestone 200th Pro Win for a female in NHRA.
Per NHRA, there was a period of time in the 1960’s where women were banned all together from competing in pro classes. They were banished to the slowest classes only. Shirley Shahan became the first woman to win in an NHRA pro class in 1965. 11 years later in 1976, the iconic Shirley Muldowney became the first pro class female winner, but only the fourth overall female to win in a sanctioned NHRA category.
In recent years with the expansion of entry-level classes, more women have won across the board in pro class. Leading up to the 200th win milestone, we saw Camrie Caruso get her first win in Pro Stock in 2023 and Maddi Gordon capture the 100th woman to win a national event in 2024.
Angie Smith’s historic victory came after an incredibly heartbreaking loss at the previous event in Chicago. She fell short to her husband and team owner Matt Smith in the final round due to a mechanical failure that did not allow her to leave the starting line. She was forced to sit on her bike and watch her husband drive away to a diamond Wally.
A short 10 days later, the couple announced that Matt was having health difficulties, forcing him to be hospitalized and essentially miss the event. Thankfully, Matt was able to make it to Maryland International Raceway for the first round of eliminations on Sunday. He was then able to watch as Angie soared through the Pro Stock Motorcycle ladder to get the 200th milestone win.
In an extremely special presentation, Shirley Muldowney presented her with the 200th win board for her winner’s circle photos. “You just can’t give up” said Smith on what she wants to personally remember from this feat. She noted it was an emotional weekend given the circumstances of her husband’s health and following a crushing loss in Chicago. “I was bummed about Chicago, but I guess it was meant to be.”
On top of her redemptive and emotional milestone: Angie Smith also won the Mission Foods 2 Fast 2 Tasty challenge, along with having an average of 6.70 elapsed time and an .04 reaction time for Sunday eliminations.
