DENSO Products and Services Americas, an affiliate of DENSO Corp., has partnered with Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Angie Smith as her lead sponsor for four events during the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The first event, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, takes place April 28-30 at Smith’s hometown racetrack, zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Smith, whose husband is two-time NHRA champion Matt Smith, is within three points of breaking into the top 10 in points.

“I started off the season with a lot of momentum and I’m getting great results on the track,” said Smith, who rides a Buell V-Twin-powered entry. “I am on a mission to get our DENSO Pro Stock Motorcycle into the winner’s circle this year."

“We’re proud to sponsor Angie and support her ongoing success,” added Joseph Mejaly, senior vice president of Operations, Sales, Strategic Planning and Marketing at DENSO Products and Services Americas. “She’s a top competitor and an experienced technician and we have very high expectations for her.”

In addition to the North Carolina race, DENSO will be Smith’s lead sponsor at the July 28-30 Toyota Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, Ca., the Sept. 29-Oct. 1; AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals outside of St. Louis, and the Oct. 26-29 Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas.

Born and raised in Kernersville, N.C., Smith started racing competitively in the Outlaw Pro Street class where she was known by her maiden name, Angie McBride. In 2004, she captured the Outlaw Pro Street championship. During those years, a fierce rivalry ensued with competitor Matt Smith. A top-ranked Pro Stock Motorcycle racer with 18 career wins to date under his belt, he invited her to join Matt Smith Racing in 2008. They married in 2009.

DENSO served as the title sponsor of the March 31-April 2 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals and is a supporting sponsor of all 24 races in the 2017 Mello Yello series. DENSO is also a product sponsor of Matt Smith Racing.