Two-time world champ Matt Smith grabbed his third straight No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock Motorcycle Saturday at the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway thanks to his 6.828 at 198.20 from Friday on his Elite Motorsports Denso Auto Parts EBR. Smith now has four No.1 qualifiers in 2018 and 30 for his career, and the two-time winner at the track will face off with John Hall in the first round of eliminations.
“It’s good to start from the No. 1 spot,” said Smith, who started the playoffs sixth in points. “We got a lot of bonus points so far this weekend, so hopefully we can go some rounds tomorrow and improve our position so we can put ourselves in position to win this championship. That’s what we’re trying to do. We just have to some rounds (Sunday) and see what happens.”
Points leader Eddie Krawiec, who is the defending world champion and also the defending event winner, jumped up to second on Saturday on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson after his pass of 6.828 at 197.08. Krawiec, who has back-to-back wins at Maple Grove, will race Jim Underdahl in the opening round of eliminations.
Eliminations at the Dodge NHRA Nationals begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, 6.828, 198.20 vs. 16. John Hall, Buell, 6.966, 189.87; 2.
Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.828, 197.08 vs. 15. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.954, 192.91; 3.
Hector Arana Jr, 6.832, 197.33 vs. 14. Ron Tornow, Buell, 6.953, 191.38; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.847, 196.02 vs. 13. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.941, 193.57; 5. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.863, 195.99 vs. 12. Mark Paquette, Buell, 6.919, 192.33; 6. Joey Gladstone, Victory, 6.878,
193.54 vs. 11. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.903, 193.21; 7. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.879, 193.10 vs. 10. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.893, 192.49; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.888, 193.46 vs. 9. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.889, 191.78.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Kelly Clontz, 6.971, 192.19; 18. Hector Arana, 6.999, 193.24; 19. Karen Stoffer, 7.035, 188.41.
