(Ron Lewis photo)

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Matt Smith accomplished his goal of winning a race at his home track Monday afternoon in impressive fashion. He dominated the rain-delayed Inaugural Four-Wide Nationals with a quarter-mile run of 6.937 seconds at 189.84 mph. That sent him to the finish line ahead of fellow finalists Hector Arana, Steve Johnson and Michael Phillips, who fouled out.  Arana’s time was 7.000 seconds and Johnson had a 7.305.

“This is our home track,” said Smith, of King, NC. “We only live an hour away from here. I wanted to win the first race here (in 2008).   We were the number one qualifier but we just couldn’t pull it off. We came back two years later and were number one qualifier at the first four-wide race and then we ran the table.”

It was his first victory since 2008, the 11th of his career and it vaulted him into a tie for second place with 160 points. After an unexpected first-round loss in the season-opener at Gainesville, Fla., Smith tested and was confident that what he learned would make him a solid contender, not only for this race, but for the remainder of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. 

The performance of the Al-Anabi Racing V-Twin was as flawless as his riding.  He had the quickest elapsed times after Friday and Saturday qualifying runs. He began Sunday’s eliminations with a 6.907-second time at 190.24 mph and resumed competition Monday with a victorious 6.916 at 192.00 to reach the final four.

"I love this four wide deal,” Smith said. “I’m glad that NHRA and Bruton [Smith] did this. It was fun, just like NASCAR having road races. It was a different atmosphere."

"It was very interesting and something new," Hector Arana said of the first-ever four-wide race. "I feel like I did quite well. It was fun and challenging."

Arana was in a final-round quad with Matt Smith, Steve Johnson, and Michael Phillips. The defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champ got off the starting line just after Smith, but never was able to catch up. Smith won the race with a 6.937-second pass 189.84 mph, with Arana right behind with a 7.000 at 190.92 mph.

"I didn't get the win but I did get second," Arana said. "This Lucas Oil bike performed great. (Lucas Oil Pro Stock driver) Larry Morgan did the job on our motors to get everything going. I want to thank all the fans, especially the ones who came back (Monday) to support us."

Just think of it as Quarter Horse racing…without the quarter mile. (Ron Lewis photo)

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