DRAG RACE
2016 NHRA MELLO YELLO PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL ROUND / NOVEMBER 10-13, 2016
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY / POMONA, CALIFORNIA
P74
he was tenth-quickest, but dur-
ing eliminations he caught the
breaks he needed to end the
year with a win.
"It's good to finish what has
been a bad year," Smith said.
"We've had gremlins this year
and to cap it off here in Pomona
with a win for Victory is amazing.
This has been a long time com-
ing. Three years since the last
until you get back to victory
lane," Smith said. "To get a vic-
tory for Victory; I like saying
that. Hopefully we can do more
of that next year. I know we are
going to have some teammates
with Victory bikes next year, and
I'm just glad we got to be the first
to win a race with this bike."
Smith, who also builds his
own engines and works as
his own crew chief, has spent
the last two seasons working
to make the Victory platform a
competitive package. After two
final-round appearances, he
finally got his first win in Po-
mona. Smith was admittedly off
the pace during qualifying where
(Above) Victory Gunner's Matt
Smith won the Pomona final, giving
Victory Motorcycles its first ever
NHRA race win. (Right) In the Pro
Stock final, Star Buell's Angelle
Sampey (near lane) was just a little
too quick off the line and saw the
red light. Smith (far line) went on
to win.
