Baytown: Matt Smith final report

MATT SMITH MOVES INTO PSM POINTS LEAD IN HOUSTON, SETS NATIONAL RECORD

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 29, 2009) - Matt Smith moved into the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead after he won the second round of eliminations today at the NHRA Spring Nationals, at the same time setting a national elapsed-time record of 6.865 seconds at 193.16 mph, earning him an additional 20 points. He is now 22 markers ahead of Hector Arana.

Riding the Nitro Fish Suzuki in his first season with Don Schumacher Racing, No. 3 qualifier Smith first dismissed Junior Pippin in the opening round with a stout 6.893/192.36 pass, which was the backup run for his national record, then sent home Eddie Krawiec with the record-setting run.

His demise came in the semifinal round when Craig Treble ran him down for the win when an electrical problem surfaced on the Nitro Fish Suzuki. Treble claimed the victory with a 6.912/193.54 to Smith's 6.917/179.68.

"Setting the national record is huge for us," said Smith. "This Nitro Fish Suzuki was awesome today. We were on another 6.86-6.87 pass that time (against Treble). It looks like we lost two cylinders. The motor is fine but it looks like an electrical problem caused it. The motor just cut off out there.

"We're happy to be the points leader, but we want to win. I know Don (Schumacher) wants to win and I want to win. We're still looking at the big picture, though. We'll be there for the championship, I think, because of the Countdown, but we just want to get a win under our belt and go on."

Next up for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class is the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., April 17-19.

-credit: dsr