Matt Smith needs to win at Dallas

Matt Smith Needs the Win Light Deep in the Heart of Texas

Matt Smith

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

KING, N.C.: Thanks to a semi-final appearance last weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith was able to start the six-race Countdown to 1 positively by jumping two spots in the points standings to third. Unfortunately, the two riders ahead of him, Eddie Krawiec and Karen Stoffer, were the race finalists with Krawiec's victory putting him 116 markers ahead of the North Carolina native.

With five more races to go, though, anything can happen and Smith is prepared for some Texas two-steppin' this weekend at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. The 2008 race runner up stuck around at zMAX Monday to test his Haltech/Red Line Buell and left with some positive information.

"We found out why we slowed down in the semis (on Sunday)," said Smith, a 13-time Nationals event winner. "We had some broken parts in the motor. We were able to fix them and tested really well on Monday. Now, we're ready to go to Dallas and see how we stack up to everyone else."

Smith will have plenty of help going to Dallas. His wife and Matt Smith Racing teammate, Angie, and third MSR rider, Michael Ray, are in blocking mode for Matt and ready to help him bring home a second national title. Matt was able to race to the semi-finals in this race last year and will need to click off some round wins and hope for early exits for both Stoffer and Krawiec this weekend if he has a shot for the PSM title.