John Hall threw his name into the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship conversation with a fantastic Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway, defeating teammate Matt Smith in the final round with a run of 6.802 at 199.70 on his American Rebel Light/Matt Smith Racing Buell. It is Hall’s second victory this season and first-ever at Maple Grove Raceway, vaulting him to a tie for second in points in the process.
After defeating Kelly Clontz in the opening round, Hall sent a strong message in the quarterfinals, defeating back-to-back world champ Gaige Herrera with a 6.806, keeping Herrera winless in Reading in his career. He followed with a victory against rookie Brayden Davis, setting up the matchup with Smith. It was the first MSR-versus-MSR matchup in the final round since Sonoma last season and Hall prevailed this time, leaving first and pulling away as Smith ran into trouble, as Hall earned his fourth career victory.
“They’re all special for me. To do it in the Countdown is great because, I mean, there’s six races in the Countdown — you’ve got to bring your A-game,” Hall said. “We had a new tire on there that wasn’t working for us. We put the old tire back on, which worked out. We went four 6.80s in a row. The track was great — thank you to the Koretsky family for a great track and to MSR.
It is great that they gave me this opportunity. Matt Smith and Angie Smith gave me an opportunity to come out here and compete, probably in the later stages of my career, and I’m just thankful for everything.”
Smith moved into the points lead, advancing to his fourth final this year and 85th in his career thanks to round wins against Brandon Litten, Jianna Evaristo and Richard Gadson. He leads Herrera and Hall by just six points, with Gadson just nine points back in fourth.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Sept. 19-21 with the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
ROUND ONE — John Hall, 6.800, 199.11 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 20.099, 26.46; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.833, 196.79 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.950, 189.82; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 7.012, 195.08 def. Ron Tornow, 6.921, 192.77; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.882, 193.71 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 9.929, 83.86; Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.847, 199.32 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.913, 192.69; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.777, 199.91 def. Ryan Oehler, Foul – Red Light; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.741, 200.23 def. Brandon Litten, Suzuki, 6.873, 193.43; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.819, 198.26 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS — Davis, 6.854, 200.02 def. A. Smith, 6.874, 195.65; Hall, 6.806, 198.61 def. Herrera, 6.851, 197.36; Gadson, 6.781, 200.00 def. Van Sant, 6.902, 195.25; M. Smith, 6.790, 198.93 def. Evaristo, 6.923, 192.19;
SEMIFINALS — Hall, 6.800, 199.23 def. Davis, 6.812, 199.76; M. Smith, 6.862, 197.83 def. Gadson, 6.949, 199.26;
FINAL — Hall, 6.802, 199.70 def. M. Smith, 6.950, 167.66.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Points
1. Matt Smith, 2,184; 2. (tie) John Hall, 2,178; Gaige Herrera, 2,178; 4. Richard Gadson, 2,175; 5. Angie Smith, 2,107; 6. Chase Van Sant, 2,094; 7. Brayden Davis, 2,089; 8. Jianna Evaristo, 2,083; 9. Chris Bostick, 2,052; 10. Steve Johnson, 2,034.
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