Angie, a round later to set up the
matchup with Gadson, the reign-
ing World Champion.
"Today was a little hotter, but
the air was better, so we had
better conditions, which means
making more power. I just don't
think a lot of other guys took
that into account, and they were
probably just overkilling the
track. We put our bike in a spot
where it would go down the track
every time, and it worked."
As dominant as he was, Smith
also admitted he caught a lucky
break in round one. Awarded a
bye run because of the short 15-
bike field, Smith averted disaster
when his bike stalled just off the
starting line.
"We got our lucky break in the
first round," Smith said. "I had
a bye, and as soon as I brought
the engine up, the toggle switch
on the fuel pump went out. We
didn't get down the track, and
we lost lane choice. If there had
been someone in the other lane,
it would have been all over."
"As soon as I saw this [special
edition 75th-anniversary NHRA
Wally trophy], I knew I wanted
one. I'm glad we didn't have to
wait long to get it. Now I want
to get a couple more for the
other riders on our team, and,
of course, I want that seventh
championship. There are three
of us with six titles: me, Andrew
Hines and Dave Schultz. To sep
-
arate myself from those guys, as
great as they were, would be an
awesome thing to do. That's my
goal this year. It's been my goal
ever since we won the sixth."
Gadson, who remained in the
points lead, advanced to his
second final round of the season
by defeating Geno Scali, Clay
-
ton Howey and two-time World
Champion Gaige Herrera.
After a one-week break, the
Pro Stock Motorcycle class will
return to Route 66 Raceway in
Joliet, Illinois, May 15-17.
Kevin McKenna
FINAL
1. Matt Smith (Bue) 6.724-202.06
2. Richard Gadson (Suz) 6.834-193.24
VOLUME ISSUE MAY , P45
Richardson Gadson
left the starting line
first but couldn't stay
ahead of Smith's
ultra-fast Buell.
