In Pro Stock Motorcycle’s first race back since the season-opener in Gainesville, six-time world champ Matt Smith made a strong opening statement on Friday, blistering the track record with a standout run of 6.685 at 201.61 on his Denso Auto Parts Buell at the 14th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
It was a stellar performance at his home track and puts the veteran in line for his first No. 1 qualifier since 2022 and the 53rd in career. If Smith stays on top, it will be the first top qualifier for anyone other than Gaige Herrera since last July as well. It was exactly the type of performance Smith was after on Friday, setting a career-best in the process and making his first career run in the 6.60s.
“We’ve done a lot of testing since Gainesville,” Smith said. “We’ve been to three different tracks four times and made a lot of runs. We gained a lot but it didn’t show today. I was shaking the tire through low gear, so we’re not reaping the benefits of testing. I know there is more there, maybe a 6.66 or 6.65. Gaige went 6.69, so we’re right there with him. If we’re running within two or three hundredths of the fastest bike, we have a shot.
“Tomorrow is the Mission [#2Fast2Tasty] Challenge and we want to get the points and the money. I think we can run faster. This bike is mean.”
Herrera jumped to the second spot under the lights with a run of 6.696 at 201.79 and LE Tonglet grabbed the third position thanks to a run of 6.703 at 200.77.
Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.685, 202.12; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.696, 201.79; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.37; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.718, 202.82; 5. John Hall, Beull, 6.728, 202.36; 6. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.729, 201.55; 7. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.742, 201.22; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.790, 197.91; 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.812, 199.05; 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.815, 197.80; 11. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.815, 194.32; 12. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.863, 194.52; 13. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.912, 194.10; 14. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.929, 195.76; 15. Hector Arana, EBR, 7.678, 193.85; 16. Ron Tornow, Victory, 10.785, 76.56.
Not Qualified: 17. Eiji Kawakami, broke.
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