Michelle Smith, first female to win championship at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, dies

Michelle Smith’s intensity was always what impressed veteran drag racer Louie Hall the most.

“Sweet as sugar, tough as nails,” said Hall, of Portage. “That’s what she had written on the back of her Camaro.”

Mrs. Smith of Belmont died Thursday of liver cancer.

Mrs. Smith, who was the first female to win a track championship at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, was 46.

Mrs. Smith was a veteran Martin competitor, and she won the track’s Street Tire championship in 2004 and 2005. Mrs. Smith never backed down from the boys -- not even her husband. In fact, Mrs. Smith edged out her husband, Daniel Smith, to capture her first title. Daniel also is a Martin veteran.

“She was a quite a gal and a great racer,” said U.S. 131 Motorsports Park spokesperson Stephanie Peterson.

“I remember when we had our second lady’s race, Michelle Smith was the first one in the lane, and there was no one in the other lane because no one wanted to race her. They were hanging back.

“Her and husband are here every Saturday bracket racing. She will be greatly missed.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michelle Smith Memorial Fund.

Visitation is scheduled 7-9 p.m. Sunday and 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Monday at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 North Monroe Street, Rockford. A reading of the rosary is 7 p.m. Monday.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Assumption Catholic Church, 6369 Belmont Ave. NE, Belmont.


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