| September 25, 2024
For all the talk about how RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera has dominated the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class, it’s actually Matt Smith who currently has the best bike in the class, and he proved it with a dominant win at the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, September 20-22.
Matt Smith topped the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle round with a strong performance and is the new Championship leader.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
Racing at his home track, Smith took a big step towards a possible seventh world championship when he rode his Denso Buell to a second win of the season. Smith won the final round after rookie Richard Gadson left the starting line too soon, drawing a red-light start. Smith took full advantage with a rolled 6.846 elapsed time at 199.35 mph to earn his 40th career win. More importantly, he took over the championship lead for the first time this season.
Ironically, Smith was so focused on his own bike that he didn’t initially realize that Gadson had fouled until after the race was over.
“I was just trying to stay good and tough against Richard, and when I went through the [finish line] lights, I didn’t see my win light, and I didn’t know if I won or not,” Smith said. “It’s never a good feeling when you can’t see a win light because you thought you had a good deal, but you don’t ever know. But all in all, what a weekend, what a great day.”
Smith’s path to the final round includes wins against his wife, Angie, and Matt Smith Racing teammate Jianna Evaristo. In a surprising turn of events, Smith, who also led the field in qualifying, now leads defending World Champion Gaige Herrera by 25 points. Smith now has his sights set on becoming the first rider in the history of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class to win seven championships. Currently, Smith is in a three-way tie with the late Dave Schultz and Andrew Hines, who each have six titles.
“I like being under pressure. It doesn’t matter what you do in the regular season. You always have to be good the last six [Countdown to the Championship playoff] races, and I’ve always been pretty good last six races, and that’s how I won my championships, and that’s how we’re going to continue to race.”
Earlier this year, Smith was quoted as saying he’d retire from riding in favor of a younger rider if he were to win a seventh title, but at this point, that seems unlikely, as he continues to race at a high level.
Gadson reached his second straight final round after defeating Ron Tornow, Chase Van Sant and Herrera. In his first year with the Vance & Hines team, Gadson continues to make steady progress and remains third in points, 27 back of Smith.
Herrera, who won the first six events of the season and seven overall, reached the semi-final round, where he lost to teammate Gadson when his Suzuki slowed. For the first time this season, Herrera is not the championship leader, although he remains well within striking distance.
The Charlotte event was the second of three-straight in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, as the tour now heads to World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis this weekend for the 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals.
PRO STOCK MC FINAL
- Matt Smith (Bue)
- Richard Gadson (Suz)
