Posted on Monday, September 04, 2006 - 02:42 pm:

Smith's track record 6.994 at 188.70 mph was the 10th quickest pass in
Pro Stock Motorcycle history and his first in the six-second range. The
Torco Buell V-Twin rider also became the fifth member of the Mickey
Thompson 6-Second Pro Stock Bike Club and put himself in position to
claim his second consecutive low qualifier honor.

"It means a lot to join that club," Smith said. "My dad [Pro Stock racer
Rickie Smith] was a member of the 6-Second Club in Pro Stock and for
both of us to be a part of the history books like that is pretty
amazing."

Posted on Monday, September 04, 2006 - 07:56 pm:

One year ago, Matt Smith felt the elation of an Indy win for about a day, only to have it stripped away when ESPN2 replays proved that a timing malfunction had occurred and opponent Steve Johnson had actually won the final. Although Smith agreed with the decision and was gracious in the turn of events, the incident has stayed with him.

On this day, any chance of a repeat performance was extinguished at the starting line when Angelle Sampey jumped the green light by .028-second, thereby handing the win to Smith at the starting line. He went on to post a 7.222 to Sampey's 7.147.

"No one's taking this one away," Smith said as he clutched the trophy at the top end. "I saw her red-light come on and I was like, 'Thank you, thank you.' I doubt very seriously I made a very good run because I was screaming my head off in my helmet. I don't even remember going through the gears.

"I've tied dad [Pro Stock driver Rickie Smith] now. He has two NHRA wins and so do I. I told him, 'This one counts, this one counts.' What a deal. We even hurt our motor in Round 1 and it was barely hanging together all day, but it stayed together just long enough for us to get this trophy."