PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

(Tim Marshall photo)

Katie Sullivan got a little help with shade from the Las Vegas sun. Adam Arana turned on the red light to give her a win in the first round, but she was then defeated by Michael Ray’s 7.004/190.54 to Sullivan’s 7.082/190.00. (Tim Marshall photo)

Matt Smith celebrated his second career title. He powered his Viper Motorcycle Company Buell to a final round run of 6.991 at 192.08 to beat Jerry Savoie, who went 7.050 at 190.19 on his Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki. Smith, who has won the last three races, claimed his fourth win this season and 17th in his career en route to clinching the championship crown. His father, Rickie, also won the world championship in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series earlier this season.

“This team has been awesome,” Smith said. “What else can you ask for? With me winning the championship and dad winning the Pro Mod championship it’s been great. I don’t want to sound too confident, but we’ve almost been unstoppable. We’ve been to 10 finals since Epping and have six wins. Those are amazing number for our team.”

(Tim Marshall photo)

Smith, who qualified fourth, went 6.979 at 192.17 to start eliminations with a win against Andrew Hines, and followed it up with round wins against LE Tonglet and Shawn Gann to reach the final round. Smith, who won for the first time in Las Vegas, also won the world championship in 2007.

“It’s pretty elite company to do that,” Smith said of his second championship title. “We pulled this off and it’s just great.”