Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Matt Smith looks to continue momentum through the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – August 30, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – When six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith returns this weekend’s 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, he brings with him not only his success from last season, but also his last race.

Smith, rider of the DENSO Auto Parts Buell, made a statement in Sonoma when he swept the weekend by winning the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle NHRA All-Star Callout specialty event and earning the No. 1 qualifier position before going on to win the event on Sunday.

“We finally broke through for the win in Sonoma and that was the first time since Reading of last year,” said Smith. “Our DENSO Auto Parts Buell team has been working hard over the last year and I want to think we’re peaking at the right time and Indy is the perfect place to keep the momentum going.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals victories in 2023 and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1, including a special Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout broadcast on FOX at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations coverage on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday.

It is the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 campaign and the final race in the regular season, and plenty is on the line at the prestigious race.

Last year in Indy, Smith advanced to the final round where he faced Hector Arana Jr. Arana went red, giving Smith his two consecutive Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals title.

In 2024, the class has seen the same dominance from reigning class champion Gaige Herrera, with only Smith and Chase Van Sant as other winners in the field. With sights set on the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Smith is second in points and knows a seventh championship is still within reach.

“I’m getting older and there’s a lot of young guns shooting for us, but I can still do this. I can still win a championship, and I would love to get seven and that’s my goal right now,” Smith said.

In the Top Fuel ranks, Brown is aiming for his third straight Indianapolis win. With three wins so far this season, he is aiming for his fourth NHRA world title. Leading the points is reigning champion Doug Kalitta following by his Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon. Also in the hunt is Brainerd winner Justin Ashley and four-time champ Steve Torrence.

The stars of the Funny Car class…