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After running career best numbers at a test session in Valdosta, Ga. the week before the Gatornationals, Matt Smith was looking to run well at the first race of the season for the Pro Stock Motorcycle’s.
Smith started sixth (6.947et and 192.22mph) in the quickest field in NHRA history. He would go on to win his first round of competition on Sunday over Geno Scali with incredible numbers (.027rt, 6.947et at 187.50mph), Smith would end up as the quickest bike of the first round.
Going into second round he would line up against fellow Buell competitor Tom Bradford, Smith would once again work his magic on the starting line and on the racetrack (.016rt, 7.019et at 187.50mph), becoming the quickest bike for the second round this time.
In the semi-finals Smith would square off against the Harley-Davidson newcomer Ed Krawiec. Krawiec however would soon learn that he was no match for Smith’s Buell. Running the fourth quickest run in NHRA history (6.921et at 190.22mph), Smith would stroll into the finals.
Racing his way into his sixth final of his short career, Smith would go up against Karen Stoffer. With unbelievable times all day Smith would eventually run into unforeseen trouble with his bike when it wouldn’t shift into gear down track, this would in-turn cost him the race.
“All in all the weekend was great. We ran into some trouble in the finals, but I was thrilled to make it that far with our new team,” said Smith. “We have one heck of bike and hopefully we will be able to contend for the championship this year. I have got to thank Evan Knoll, Latrell Preston and Brian Olson with Torco Race Fuels for backing me this year. Red Line Oil, Mac Tools and JEGS for the awesome camera shots as well.”
Smith is second in the NHRA POWERade Series points trailing Stoffer by a mere 17 points. The next race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle’s will be in two weeks at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX (March 30-April 1).
Smith Rides His Way to a Runner-up Finish at Gainesville
After running career best numbers at a test session in Valdosta, Ga. the week before the Gatornationals, Matt Smith was looking to run well at the first race of the season for the Pro Stock Motorcycle’s.
Smith started sixth (6.947et and 192.22mph) in the quickest field in NHRA history. He would go on to win his first round of competition on Sunday over Geno Scali with incredible numbers (.027rt, 6.947et at 187.50mph), Smith would end up as the quickest bike of the first round.
Going into second round he would line up against fellow Buell competitor Tom Bradford, Smith would once again work his magic on the starting line and on the racetrack (.016rt, 7.019et at 187.50mph), becoming the quickest bike for the second round this time.
In the semi-finals Smith would square off against the Harley-Davidson newcomer Ed Krawiec. Krawiec however would soon learn that he was no match for Smith’s Buell. Running the fourth quickest run in NHRA history (6.921et at 190.22mph), Smith would stroll into the finals.
Racing his way into his sixth final of his short career, Smith would go up against Karen Stoffer. With unbelievable times all day Smith would eventually run into unforeseen trouble with his bike when it wouldn’t shift into gear down track, this would in-turn cost him the race.
“All in all the weekend was great. We ran into some trouble in the finals, but I was thrilled to make it that far with our new team,” said Smith. “We have one heck of bike and hopefully we will be able to contend for the championship this year. I have got to thank Evan Knoll, Latrell Preston and Brian Olson with Torco Race Fuels for backing me this year. Red Line Oil, Mac Tools and JEGS for the awesome camera shots as well.”
Smith is second in the NHRA POWERade Series points trailing Stoffer by a mere 17 points. The next race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle’s will be in two weeks at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX (March 30-April 1).
