Six races and nine other NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers stand between Matt Smith and another Full Throttle Drag Racing Series championship.
Smith, the 2007 titleholder, takes the first step toward achieving his goal this weekend in the 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals – drag racing’s oldest, most prestigious event – at O’Reilly Raceway Park. He starts the Countdown to 1 playoffs in fourth place with 2,060 points, 50 behind the leader after the points were reset.
“I’m looking forward to this race,” said Smith. “I’d like to get off to a good start.
“I’ve enjoyed some success at Indy. I’ve been to three final rounds in a row there (2005-07), and I won the U.S. Nationals in 2006. I think we will be in contention, but I don’t think we have as much power as the Harleys and Suzukis.”
Smith put his Al-Anabi Racing V-Twin into the winner’s circle twice, at the Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte, N.C. and at Norwalk, Ohio during the 11-race regular season.
He spent August at his shop working on competitive motors for him and his wife Angie as he geared-up for the Countdown. “We’ve had a lot of stuff built and we’re still waiting on some more things to get to our shop.