| May 16, 2022
To suggest that NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle riders Matt Smith and Steve Johnson are bitter rivals would be a bit of an understatement. They have a long history of animosity so any time they race each other, there is the potential for fireworks. When Smith and Johnson meet in a final round, as they did at the NHRA Virginia Nationals, it becomes a must-see event.
Story by Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
The latest round of the Smith-Johnson rivalry certainly lived up to its billing with Smith scoring the 33rd win of his career, and his first on a Suzuki.
“Winning on a Suzuki been a goal of mine,” Smith said. “I went to four or five finals on a Suzuki early in my career, and I never get to close the deal, and then the V-twins came along and I’ve won one on a Buell, I’ve won on an EBR, and I’ve won on a Victory, and now I’ve won on a Suzuki.”
More importantly, Smith was able to take care of business against his rival Johnson, who had won the two most recent NHRA rounds. The duo raced last month in Houston where Smith drew Johnson’s ire after making a last-minute switch from a Suzuki to a Buell before the final round (a move well-within NHRA rules).
Smith didn’t have the quickest bike going into the final, but he was able to improvise. By altering his staging routine, Smith was able to grab a huge holeshot lead at the start and won with a 6.84 elapsed time to Johnson’s much-quicker 6.78. At the finish line, the two bikes were separated by just 0.006-seconds.
“Steve’s been out here a long time and everybody knows what he likes to do,” Smith said. “He likes to stage first and likes to start last. He had the better bike and I had nothing to lose, so I made him start his bike first and in, and I went with the intention to stage first. I knew he loves to stage first, so I rolled in and double-bulbed him and it was game on. He’s got a fast hot rod, and he’s going to be tough to beat all year long.”
Smith, the reigning and five-time class champ, was only fourth-quickest in qualifying, which was led by his wife, Angie Smith. During final eliminations, Smith’s Denso Suzuki was extremely consistent with runs of 6.87, 6.86, and 6.86 in his wins against Chris Bostick, Jimmy Underdahl, and Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Eddie Kraweic.
Johnson, who came into the Virginia round leading the championship following his back-to-back wins in Houston and Charlotte, made just one qualifying run, but it was quick enough for the number-three spot. Johnson’s path to the final included victories against Marc Ingwersen, Karen Stoffer and Lance Bonham.
After four races this season, Johnson holds a 50-point edge over second-ranked Stoffer. Smith is now in fourth place, 121 points behind Johnson.
VIDEO | Matt Smith wins in Richmond
The Pro Stock Motorcycle class will make its next appearance in Bristol, Tennessee, June 17-19.
In addition to the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, the NHRA Richmond event also featured a special appearance by the Top Fuel Motorcycles of Larry “Spiderman” McBride and Dave Vantine. McBride, who long ago cemented his reputation as the quickest and fastest drag racer on two wheels, stunned the crowd when he ran 268.38 mph, bettering his own world record by more than three mph.
- Matt Smith (Suz) 6.842/198.35 mph
- Steve Johnson (Suz) 6.786/198.06 mph