Matt Smith, a two-time world champ, finished atop the qualifying order in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.828 at 198.20 on his Elite Motorsports Denso Auto Parts EBR on Friday at the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Should it hold, it would mark the third straight No. 1 qualifier and fourth overall in 2018 for Smith, who last won at Maple Grove Raceway in 2013 and currently sits sixth in the playoffs.
“We’ve got a good hotrod and we’ve had a good hotrod the last two races, so we just have to perform better on Sunday,” said Smith, who has 29 career No. 1 qualifiers. “We can go 200 (mph) if we can get the weather right. We want to become part of the elite team and I want to be the No. 3 guy to get it done.”
Hector Arana Jr. is second after going 6.832 at 197.33 on his Lucas Oil EBR and Andrew Hines follows in third with a run of 6.847 at 196.02. Points leader and defending world champ Eddie Krawiec is a spot back in fourth on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a pass of 6.859 at 196.22.
Qualifying continues at the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, 6.828, 198.20; 2. Hector Arana Jr, 6.832, 197.33; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.847, 196.02; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.859, 196.22; 5. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.888, 193.46; 6. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.889, 191.78; 7. Joey Gladstone, Victory, 6.897, 194.27; 8. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.903, 191.40; 9. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.912, 190.83; 10. Mark Paquette, Buell, 6.944, 191.35; 11. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.947, 176.74; 12. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.956, 192.14; 13. John Hall, Buell, 6.976, 193.02; 14. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.992, 191.29; 15. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.004, 191.35; 16. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.035, 188.41. Not
Qualified: 17. Kelly Clontz, 7.127, 189.47; 18. Ron Tornow, 7.195, 188.41; 19. Hector Arana, 14.279, 54.30.
