NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After a season filled with hiccups, frustration, and some unlucky breaks, two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith is ready to put his best foot forward at this weekend’s 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

 

Smith’s 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season could quickly be summed up by what transpired at the most recent race in Chicago. Smith qualified No. 1 but suffered a tough break during his first eliminations pass and fell in the first round.

 

It has led to a lot of unexpected headaches for Smith on his Victory Racing Gunner this season, something he is ready to leave behind in Denver. In fact, Smith isn’t shy about what he believes his team is capable of doing when everything clicks.

 

"When everything goes right and we don't have something weird happen, I don't think anyone can touch us," said Smith, who is currently ninth in points. "We proved that in Chicago, Charlotte, and Norwalk when we qualified in the top three. We've just had the strangest little things happen to us, like the bike not shifting into second gear on race day in Chicago.

 

"Ultimately, I don't blame anyone but myself. Even if it's a part failure, I take the responsibility because at the end of the day it's me that wins or loses. I'm working on ways to test every part even more vigorously than we already do to make sure stuff like that doesn't happen. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. No matter what, we will not stop trying."

 

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Larry Morgan (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the defending winners of the event, which will be broadcast live Sunday on the FOX national broadcast network for the first time in NHRA history.

 

It is the seventh of 16 races for the Pro Stock Motorcycle stars and the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, an event Smith has won twice, comes at a pivotal time for the 17-time event winner. His bike hasn’t performed to its full potential and not qualifying at two prior events this season proves that. It’s also a nod to the tremendous talent and depth in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, but Smith’s impressive career and the glimpses of potential his Gunner has shown at times in 2016 means the best may be yet to come. But performing better during eliminations is a chief priority and Smith is determined to make those improvements this weekend in Denver.

 

"We just have no luck on Sundays," Smith said. "Eventually, it'll change – it has to – and we'll get this Victory bike to the winner's circle. Our luck has to change soon, and when it does, we'll be in the mix with the best of them. That's how confident I am in this team and this Victory Gunner."

 

Performing in Denver with the challenges it presents is never easy but Smith has prior success on his side. He won back-to-back races at Bandimere Speedway in 2007 and 2008, and will be among the top challengers this weekend, along with defending winner and points leader Eddie Krawiec, four-time Denver winner Andrew Hines, who won in Chicago, Jerry Savoie, Angelle Sampey, Hector Arana Jr., Scotty Pollacheck, LE Tonglet, Steve Johnson, Hector Arana and Chip Ellis.

 

But even with past success racing at an elevation of more than 5,800 feet, Smith knows the challenges that await him this weekend.

 

"It's very different racing up there and it's a true test of your ability to adapt to unusual conditions, so when you do manage to win a race in Denver, you really feel like you accomplished something," Smith said. "I've done it twice, and I'd really like to do it again this year. I know this Victory Gunner is certainly capable of carrying me to the winner's circle."

 

Succeeding in Denver will have tremendous carryover as well for Smith, who last won a world championship in 2013. His recent strong qualifying performances have given him a spot in the Pro Bike Battle, which takes place next weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

 

He leads Karen Stoffer by 70 points for the eighth and final spot for the Pro Bike Battle, and Smith will keep his spot in the field unless Stoffer qualifies 12 spots better in Denver.
 
"Staying ahead of Karen will be the first goal of the weekend and that means we need to be strong right out of the trailer," Smith said. "After fighting our way into that deal, we sure don't want to give it back. We will be ready, for sure. I just hope my Denver luck will be there for us this year."

 

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 23, at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 24.

 

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-664-UWIN (8946) or 303-697-6001. Tickets also are available online at www.bandimere.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.