Tue, 22 Nov 2016, 19:02 PM Victory Motorcycles Returns to Partner with Matt Smith Racing for 2017

Courtesy of Geiger Media Global Photo copyright 2016 NHRA/National Dragster

MEDINA, Minn. --

Matt Smith celebrates Pomona win.

Victory Motorcycles will return to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series in 2017, as the company will again partner with two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith and his successful Matt Smith Racing team.

Victory Motorcycles, a division of Polaris Industries Inc., represents the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major corporation in nearly 60 years, and is rapidly making impressive gains in the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace.

Victory joined the NHRA in 2015 with Smith and has been running a two-motorcycle team for the last two years, with Smith's wife Angie also racing a Victory Gunner.

"It means a lot to me that Victory is coming back," Matt Smith said. "We've been developing a new motor for the last several months, and we're doing new bodywork for the 2017 season. We should be even better next year."

Matt Smith has made the Countdown to the Championship in each of the last two years aboard a Victory machine. He has two No. 1 qualifiers and has one win in four final-round appearances while developing the new Gunner engine/chassis/body combination.

"The partnership has been good," Smith said. "We've struggled some. We all know we've had an aerodynamic disadvantage for the last two years, but we're moving in the right direction to try and make the bike more aerodynamic with the new body we're going to come out with. Hopefully, that will give us the edge we need to put Victory in the winner's circle on a regular basis.

"Closing out 2016 with a big victory for Victory at the last race of the year really gives us a bunch of positive momentum heading into the off season. There's a lot of work to be done and the Gatornationals will be here (in mid March) before you know it but we're all extra energized now with this latest Wally trophy on the mantle."

NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Feb 13- NHRA and FOX Sports Announce TV Schedule for NHRA's 75th Anniversary Season
Feb 12- 75th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Feb 10- Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund Part of $27 Million Overall Purse
Feb 08- NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Releases 2026 Schedule
Feb 07- Huge List of Legends Set to Appear at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Feb 05- NHRA and Legends Global Extend Merchandise Partnership Ahead of 75th Anniversary Season
Feb 04- Doug Foley Announces Addition of Ron Douglas as Consultant to Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel Team
Feb 04- Tickets Now on Sale for NHRA's Debut at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway
Feb 04- Reed, Zetterström to Share Driving Duties of Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel Dragster
Jan 29- NHRA to Honor Iconic John Force in 2027 with "50 Years Of Force"