Wife of defending NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith posted a message on Facebook to those objecting to her husband starting the NHRA Spring Nationals on a Suzuki and finishing it on a Buell, en route to a runner-up finish.
As Smith points out, the move is clearly within the NHRA rules.
Event winner Steve Johnson, drew the ire of the Smith team stating he will “beat Matt on any bike he could buy” in his winner’s interview.
Angie wrote –
This is my first post and last post on the topic.. Matt qualified his Suzuki and raced his Suzuki in eliminations… Matt’s motor was not running well in the semi’s… It was hurt… Per the NHRA rulebook not my rulebook, or Matt’s rulebook or anyone else’s rulebook that the competitor is allowed one swap during an event if the TECH DEPT approves it. The motor was hurt and we don’t have a spare currently so the TECH dept approved the swap. The Suzuki was withdrawn from competition and the BUELL was the backup. End of story. We didn’t make the rules up. All we wanted to do was give the fans in the stands and on tv a great showing. No one wants to win on a single.. we gave it our best shot and came up short… Steve Johnson and Karen Stoffer were the bikes to beat !! Congrats to Steve Johnson and Jock on your win today. Ps Steve Johnson Racing Nice comment about Matt Smith at the end of your interview… #GAMEON
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