Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Matt Smith picked up the provisional No. 1 qualifier on Friday at Summit Motorsports Park, putting him in position for the top spot of 2025 at the 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Smith put together a standout run to close the day in Pro Stock Motorcycle, going 6.824 at 200.68 on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It puts the six-time world champion on track for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 59th in his career.
Smith led the points after the first two races but has suffered back-to-back losses in the second round at the most recent two events. Friday’s run is a sign he’s about to get on track and the veteran would love for it to happen in Norwalk.
“We’ve gotten beat up this year with the performance of the Vance & Hines bikes,” Smith said. “We’re behind about two or three hundredths but sometimes that’s all it takes. Today was very humid, and the air was bad, but track is very good and we made some nice runs. I’m No. 1 and John [Hall] is second and Ron [Tornow] is up there too.
“I think we’re in a good spot. We stayed Monday after Virginia to try and better ourselves. We tested in 101-degree heat and we’re focused on trying to get our four bikes in the top eight.”
Hall made two strong passes on Friday, including a 6.832 at 199.35 that puts him second, while Tornow is third after a 6.874 at 197.88.
Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.824, 200.68; 2. John Hall, Beull, 6.832, 199.35; 3. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.874, 197.88; 4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.888, 195.59; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.902, 196.73; 6. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.906, 196.79; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.935, 199.08; 8. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.964, 191.84; 9. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.966, 194.55; 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.990, 194.72; 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.047, 192.63; 12. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.385, 181.89; 13. Odolph Daniels, Suzuki, 7.483, 178.02.
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