Smith Rules Four-Wide
R
evZilla/Vance & Hines
Suzuki's Gaige Herrera has
ruled the NHRA Pro Stock Motor-
cycle category for the last two
seasons, but when it comes to
the Four-Wide format and North
Carolina's zMax Dragway, Denso
Buell's Matt Smith still rules the
roost.
Smith earned the 42nd win
of his career when he won a
final quad that included Herrera,
Vance & Hines rider Richard
Gadson and veteran Steve John
-
son. In the unique side-by-side-
by-side-by-side format, Smith
rode to a 6.738 to barely cover
Gadson, who was the runner-up
with a 6.738. Herrera also made
a great run with a 6.747 along
with Johnson, who was in the
thick of the battle with a 6.799.
Smith has won four times at
zMax Dragway, including the
most recent event held last
September under the traditional
two-wide format.
"This has been a long week
-
end," Smith said. "We had a lot
of gremlins in our pits. This
morning, we cranked my bike
up, and it started squeaking.
We have another engine called
Old Faithful, so we put in a new
engine that went smoothly after
that. Hats off to my team. I can't
say enough about my crew guys.
Everyone helps, but it's a lot of
work to run four bikes with three
mechanics. I do the fuel maps
and clutches, and I also get to
ride, but it's a lot of work.
"I'm on the positive side now.
I had 41 wins and 41 runner-up
finishes. Now, I'm 42 and 41, so
at least I'm on the positive side
now.
"This is my home track, and I
like racing here," Smith said.
From the start of qualifying,
it seemed almost a given that
Smith would clash with the
Vance & Hines riders at some
point. Herrera was the qualifying
WIND
IN THE
P46
Matt Smith racked
up another four-
wide win at zMax
Dragway.
