Advantage Smith
I
n the race for the 2022 NHRA
Camping World Pro Stock
Motorcycle Championship, the
momentum has, once again,
swung in favor of Denso Buell's
Matt Smith. The defending
and five-time World Champion
collected his fourth win of the
season at the Midwest Nationals
in St. Louis, September 31-Octo-
ber 2, and as a result, he's taken
the lead back from Reed Motors-
ports Suzuki's Joey Gladstone.
Smith finished off a nearly per-
fect weekend when he topped
White Alligator Suzuki's Jerry
Savoie in the final round. Smith
rode to a 6.756 at 202.00 mph
to easily outdistance Savoie's
6.819-second run at 197.99
mph.
Over the course of the week-
end, Smith set both ends of the
track record, made a career-
best run, qualified number one,
picked up his fourth win of the
season—and 36th victory in his
career—and took over the points
lead as the top of the standings
changed hands for the sixth
straight race in the category.
"This was a big weekend for
this whole team," Smith said.
"Leaving here number one and
wife, [Angie Smith] number three
in points was huge for the team.
This whole class is tough and
we're looking forward to go-
ing to Dallas for the next race.
I had my opportunity, second
round in Reading against Joey,
and messed up, so it was good
to make up for that here today.
What a weekend here."
On the strength of his
6.709-second, 203.22 mph run,
Smith was dominant throughout
the weekend and had little trou-
ble reaching the final round with
wins against Kelly Clontz and
Gladstone, who came into the
IN
THE
WIND
P46
Matt Smith is the
new NHRA Pro Stock
Motorcycle points leader
after winning St. Louis.
PHOTO: MATT POLITO
