Plenty left to achieve in 2016 for Victory Motorcycles rider Matt Smith
READING, PA – Victory Motorcycles Gunner rider Matt Smith is hardly giving up on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello 
Drag Racing Series season, even though he realizes his championship hopes are slim.
A difficult start to the six-race Countdown to the Championship has Smith looking up at the title contenders, but the two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion has plenty for which to race this season.
“Our championship hopes for this year are done,” said Smith, who will race in the Dodge NHRA Nationals this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway. “We’ve lost first and second round at the first two races, and we are 10th in points since Cory (Reed) won that round (in St. Louis). But all in all we can make a run and maybe get top four or five, but our goal right now is to win rounds and make this bike competitive so we can have something to go at for next year.”
Plus, Maple Grove Raceway is the home track for Kenny Koretsky of sponsor Nitro Fish, meaning Smith and his Matt Smith Racing team will entertain a lot of guests this weekend.
“That’s Kenny Koretsky’s home track, so Nitro Fish will be in the house with us,” Smith said. “They are on our bike and have been a longtime supporter since I started my program in 2007. Our Victory Gunner, with Nitro Fish, Lucas Oil, and Mark Stockseth, will go to Reading with a positive attitude and hopefully we can be a top-10 bike.”
Smith is a two-time winner in Reading, reaching the winner’s circle there in 2013 and 2008. Reading can be one of the fastest tracks on the circuit, as cooler weather produces higher speeds.
“I like going fast,” Smith said. “Reading is one of those tracks that we’ve done well at. We’ve won there, we’ve gone fast there. I went 6.79 in the past there. Our bikes tend to run better when it’s hot and crappy outside, just like it showed (in St. Louis). We were good, we just couldn’t get that break against Jerry (Savoie). Just a good tight race. But I’m looking forward to Reading.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:15 and 4:15 p.m., Friday, and 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).
