NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

While he continues to recover from recent medical procedures, including gall bladder surgery, six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith has named Joey Gladstone as his replacement rider. 

Gladstone, who won three Pro Stock Motorcycle events during the 2022 season, is set to race Smith’s Denso Buell at this weekend’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. It’s also possible that he will continue to race with the MSR team for the Norwalk event, and possibly the special Pro Stock Motorcycle All-star Callout Race in Sonoma. Smith is anticipating a return in time for the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and the six-race Countdown to the Championship that follows. 

“In the grand scheme of things, we had two factors that led to putting Joey on the bike,” said Smith. “To back up for a second, in Maryland, we were just going to put [MSR crew member] Michael Ray on the bike to take the Tree in Q1 and get the qualifying points, but that wasn’t a great option. We decided to ask Joey because he’s at every race [with the KB Titan Pro Stock team]. He was willing to do it but didn’t have a suit with him, so we had Chip Ellis come in.

“We still think Joey is a great choice and that he deserves a shot. Jim Whiteley’s company, J&A Services, is also my dad’s sponsor and we’ve had previous talks with Jim about putting Joey back on a bike for next season, so this is a great opportunity for an audition.”

Under NHRA’s medical replacement policy, Ellis was able to earn points for Smith in Maryland, and Gladstone will be able to do likewise.

Smith also addressed his own health, noting that he’s had two recent surgeries for gallstones and kidney stones, and that he’s going to have a hernia issue addressed in the future. He’s currently back to work maintaining the team’s four bikes, albeit a bit off his normal pace.

“The big thing I want to say, and the whole Kyle Busch deal really put this in perspective, is that we’ve got to take care of ourselves, especially as we get older,” Smith said. “NHRA has a protocol that allows for situations just like this one, so why take a chance? Do what’s necessary, so you can race for a long time.

“I hope to be 100 percent before Indy, and if I heal a little quicker, I might try to run the Callout race in Sonoma. I know I won’t be ready for Bristol or Norwalk. I’m really anxious to see how Joey does. He hasn’t been on a bike for a while, and we don’t have any chance to test, but I don’t think he’s lost it.” 

Smith is currently ranked No. 3 in the Mission Foods Pro Stock Motorcycle standings, just 48 points behind leader Richard Gadson and  22 points behind his wife, Angie Smith, the winner of the most recent NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS.