WIND
IN THE
P44
were and that we're ready for
this Countdown [playoffs], and I
think we put a point on that. It's
awesome, man. You know, we
worked hard to get back here.
"We did a lot of testing since
my Norwalk [in June]," Smith
said. "We did a lot of tests in
Rockingham [North Carolina] in
these hot, humid conditions. We
spent two days down there, just
nonstop in 100-degree tempera-
tures, and we learned a lot. We
learned stuff with the clutches,
and it made us better here be-
cause I was consistent."
Angie, the winner of the new
event in Maryland this season,
advanced to her third final round
of the year thanks to round wins
against Kelly Clontz, Geno Scali
and Gaige Herrera, who had
been riding a two-year unbeaten
streak in Indy. Angie slowed to
a 6.834 at 194.80 in the final
round as husband Matt earned
his 45th career win.
As the weekend proved, Smith
and his entire team are peaking
at a perfect time, and he was
thrilled to pick up a win on drag
racing's grandest stage.
"I've won this race three times
before, but I think after every-
thing I've been through, this one
might be the most meaningful.
Reigning World Champion
Richard Gadson claimed the
regular-season World Champion-
ship by advancing to the semifi-
nal round, winning the $15,000
prize and taking the points
lead into the Countdown to the
Championship, where he will try
to win back-to-back World titles.
For the final six events of the
season, the points will reset with
leader Gadson enjoying just a
slight advantage over the rest of
the field, including number-two-
ranked Smith.
The six-race Countdown to
the Championship playoffs will
officially begin at the next stop,
the all-new NHRA Dodge Great
Lakes Nationals at U.S. 131
Dragway in Martin, Michigan,
September 18-20.
Kevin McKenna
FINAL
1. Matt Smith (Bue) 0.052 /
6.791-198.58 mph
2. Angie Smith (Bue) 0.040 /
6.834-194.80 mph
World Champion
Richard Gadson
claimed the
regular-season
NHRA Pro Stock
Motorcycle title,
winning the
$15,000 prize and
taking the points
lead into the
Countdown to the
Championship.
