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 Champion
-
ship 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 defeat
-
ing Ron Tornow, Chase Van Sant
and Herrera. In his first year with
the Vance & Hines team, Gadson
continues to make steady prog-
ress 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 team
-
mate 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 week
-
end for the 13th annual NHRA
Midwest Nationals.
Kevin McKenna
PRO STOCK MC FINAL
1. Matt Smith (Bue)
2. Richard Gadson (Suz)
WIND
IN THE
P62
Smith seeks a seventh NHRA title.
