Jianna Evaristo stands at 5’1” and carries the weight of being extremely stubborn and hard-headed.
An insult? Hardly. Criticism? No way. These are traits the 26-year-old Evaristo not only openly discusses but embraces. In fact, she uses them to her advantage as an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitor.
“It never really seemed to benefit me that much until I started drag racing,” Evaristo said. “I’ve failed so many times in drag racing, but because I’m so stubborn and hard-headed, I refuse to give up, and I refuse to doubt that I have what it takes to be out there.”
Evaristo is tapping into her stubbornness more than ever transitioning to a V-Twin Buell this season. It’s a bike that weighs about 500 lbs, and it’s the first time in her career (she debuted in 2019) that Evaristo has ridden something other than a Suzuki.
Admittedly, it’s been a struggle and an eye-opening adjustment. The Buell is more aggressive than the Suzuki, even if they make about the same power. But aside from the riding routine of shifting and holding the throttle, the two bikes are nothing alike.
“I refuse to give up,” Evaristo continued. “Anytime I’m having a day, I’ll talk to my team and say, ‘This is a motorcycle. I refuse to let a motorcycle beat me.’ I know I have what it takes to do this and honestly that’s the mentality you have to have because this sport is so emotional. You could be on your highest of highs and the next round on the lowest of lows.
“So, having that mentality of not giving up is so important. Honestly, it’s what’s going to set the people who will succeed in this sport apart from those who unfortunately won’t.”
There were days, however, Evaristo doubted she could ride the Buell. It didn’t go well over the offseason when she got on the bike for the first time. Evaristo didn’t make full passes the entire first day.
I could barely get off the line,” she said. “I think we did a three-day test session and the first day and a half, I struggled — insanely struggled. I really started to doubt myself.”
Matt and Angie Smith are also there to make sure Evaristo doesn’t give up on herself. As teammates and mentors of Evaristo’s, the husband-and-wife duo are never shy about providing advice and support. Matt Smith comes at it from an experienced championship veteran. Angie Smith, who is just as talented, relates as another female competitor.
Angie Smith “is jacked,” Evaristo laughed. But it was inspiring for Evaristo to have Smith, who she described as walking muscle, be upfront about stepping up in the workout department. It’s forcing Evaristo to better herself both physically and mentally.
“I strongly believe that it was the best decision for myself and my team,” Evaristo said of the bike switch. “I think this bike is a better fit for me as a rider. Suzukis are very sensitive motorcycles for the rider. The movements have to be very small, very delicate. It takes a lot of finesse to ride those, and I think that’s where I always struggled because I saw myself as an aggressive rider – more abrupt movements and things like that.
