NHRA PREVIEW
DRAG RACING
BY KEVIN MCKENNA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT POLITO
T
he 2013 season was a year
of change and uncertainty
in the Pro Stock motor-
cycle category, which should
mean that 2014 will be a year
of stability and calmness. Well,
not exactly. If anything, the new
season, which begins with the
annual Amalie Gatornationals in
Gainesville, Florida, March 13-15,
has the potential to be far more
explosive than the one that pre-
ceded it. For one thing, teams
are dealing with yet another rules
revision that was designed to im-
prove parity among brands.
Last year, after winning 15 of 16
events in 2012, the works Vance
& Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-
Davidson team fell on its sword
when its dominant four-valve en-
gine combination was outlawed.
As intended, the move allowed
other teams to shine, including
Matt Smith, who collected his
second World Championship
aboard his S&S-powered Buell
V-twin.
As the incumbent, Smith fig-
ured to be the favorite to defend
his title, but the climb recently got
a bit steeper when his backer, Vi-
per Motorcycle Co., announced
that they would not return for
the 2014 season. Scrambling to
find funding, Smith recently an-
nounced that he's entered into a
multi-race agreement with friend
Mark Stockseth and the Nitro
Fish apparel company for asso-
PREVIEW
P76
After a relatively quiet off-season, NHRA's Pro Stock
teams are ready to do battle in Gainesville
THE CALM
BEFORE THE STORM
