DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc. proudly recognizes primary-sponsored rider Angie Smith for an extraordinary, history-making performance at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, where perseverance, leadership, and teamwork defined one of the most inspiring victories of the 2026 season.
Smith led from start to finish, qualifying No. 1, winning the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, and capturing the Pro Stock Motorcycle title on Sunday—securing the 200th professional win by a woman in NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series history.
She powered her DENSO Auto Parts Buell to a standout 6.683-second pass at 201.52 mph—setting a track record for the quickest run of the weekend—before defeating Ryan Oehler in the final round to secure her fourth career national event victory and surge into second place in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Standings.
But beyond the statistics, the weekend was defined by resilience in the face of significant adversity. Just days before the event, Matt Smith—her husband, team owner, and crew chief—was hospitalized with a medical issue, leaving the team without its primary leader at the track. Despite the setback, he continued to support the team remotely, while Angie stepped into a leadership role—guiding a four-bike operation through one of the most demanding race weekends of the season.
The team rallied together under pressure, executing at the highest level through qualifying and eliminations. Matt Smith was released from the hospital Sunday morning and returned in time to witness Angie complete the emotional and historic victory.
“This was one of the toughest and most meaningful weekends of my career,” said Angie Smith. “Our entire team had to step up in ways we’ve never experienced before, and everyone delivered. To have DENSO behind us through it all means everything. Their support gives us the confidence to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenge, and I’m proud to represent a partner that shares that same commitment to performance and teamwork.”
“This victory is about much more than a win—it’s about how it was achieved,” said Lisa Michler, Manager, Marketing & Communications for DENSO. “Angie’s ability to face adversity head-on, lead under pressure, and bring her entire team together to succeed reflects the core values that define DENSO—perseverance, leadership, and teamwork. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside her during such a meaningful and historic moment.”
DENSO’s long-standing partnership with Matt Smith Racing continues to highlight the company’s commitment to high-performance collaboration—demonstrating that success is not just driven by technology, but by people working together to overcome challenges and achieve excellence.
