NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Angie Smith was injured Saturday afternoon following an incident in the shutdown area during qualifying for the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
Smith, who entered Saturday’s second session of professional qualifying in 13th, improved her position up to number eight with a 6.880-second, 198.93 mph run in the left lane opposite Cory Reed, when she reportedly became separated from her DENSO-backed Buell at a Hugh rate of speed. The NHRA on FOX cameras cut away from the run before the incident occurred, leaving her crew and officials on the starting line, as well as those at home, uncertain of what had occurred for several tense moments.
Angie, wife of six-time series champion Matt Smith, was conscious and alert as NHRA Safety Safari officials tended to her, and was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. Later in the evening, the team’s public relations representative, Sadie Glenn, shared a statement, confirming Angie had suffered two broken ankles and encountered significant road rash. Angie was to be kept overnight and is scheduled to meet with a skin graft surgeon for her injuries on Sunday.
Matt Smith and teammate Jianna Evaristo both pulled out of line following the incident and left to be with Angie at the hospital. Neither rider returned for the day’s third and final session; no official confirmation has been made on their status for raceday, which they enter from the numbers two and six spots, respectively.