NHRA Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals
Lucas Oil Racway – Indianapolis
August 30 – Septemebr 04, 2023
Pro Stock Motorcycle
A challenging year got a whole lot better for Matt Smith in Pro Stock Motorcycle, as the defending world champion won for the second straight year at The Big Go, clinching the victory when Hector Arana Jr. went red.
Smith put together a run of 6.864 at 198.20 on his DENSO Auto Parts Suzuki, handing the veteran his first win this season and the 37th in his career. His raceday included victories against John Hall, rookie Chase Van Sant and points leader Gaige Herrera before his triumph in the final round, as Smith won the U.S. Nationals for the third time in his career.
It’s been a challenging year for Smith, but he’ll now enter the Countdown to the Championship second in points and with plenty of momentum as he looks for a record seventh Pro Stock Motorcycle championship and fourth in a row.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Smith said. “I’ve got good power. This is our second year with the Suzuki program and we’ve got great power. The problem is that I can’t figure out how to make the clutch work. I need the parts to test because we’re not getting our 60-foot times where we need them. I think a 1.09 was my best and that’s not good enough. I’ve always said you need to be good at the last six races to win a championship so now it’s time to turn it up.”Arana Jr. knocked off Chris Bostick, Kelly Clontz and Angie Smith to reach the finals for the second time in 2023 and 32nd time overall. Herrera will open the playoffs as the points leader.
ROUND ONE
W – Ron Tornow / 0.053 / 7.005 / 193.02
L – Jianna Evaristo / 0.040 / 7.121 / 167.05
In the last 20 years at this event the #8 PSM qualifier is 10 – 10 in Rd. 1.This is the 5th time this year Jianna Evaristo has qualified in the top half of the field .This is Ron Tornow’s 1st race since Norwalk. This is the first time Tornow and Evaristo have faced each other in eliminations. The two middle of the field qualifiers meet to start the round. They leave close together to right at the 660 lights, where Evaristo pulls out in front and slows after the 1000 foot lights.
W – Angie Smith / 0.019 / 6.913 / 196.47
L – Marc Ingwersen / 0.024 / 6.931 / 195.99
In Rd. 1 Angie Smith “leaves first” 53% of the time .Marc Ingwersen is 4 – 4 in Rd. 1 this year.Ingwersen and Smith have each won 1 times against the other in prior events. Just 0.005 difference in RT’s and they run right together to the finish line, where Smith takes the seven foot win.
W – Kelly Clontz / 0.072 / 7.453 / 172.72
L – Steve Johnson / 0.042 / 9.039 / 97.53
Steve Johnson is 25 – 32 at this event. Kelly Clontz is 2 – 7 against Johnson overall and 0 – 1 against him this year. Johnson gets a nice lead and pulls steadily ahead to right at the 660 lights, where there is smoke from his engine and he slows. Clontz is well off her qualifying pace, but still gets the win.
W – Chase Van Sant / 0.006 / 6.857 / 197.33
L – Ryan Oehler / 0.057 / 7.044 / 193.21
Chase Van Sant is 5 – 3 in Rd. 1 this year.Ryan Oehler is 1 – 4 in Rd. 1 at this event. Van Sant is 1 – 0 against Oehler in prior events. Great six light for Van Sant and he pulls steadily ahead to the finish line with his best times of the event Oehler Runs close to his qualifying times to no avail.
W – Matt Smith / 0.008 / 6.888 / 198.44
L – John Hall / 0.008 / 7.217 / 192.66
Hector Arana Jr. is 22 – 2 in Rd. 1 when qualified #3.Chris Bostick is 0 – 5 in Rd. 1 this year. Matt Smith’s 28 round wins at this event are 4thmost among all PSM riders. John Hall is 1 – 2 against Smith in Rd. 1. Smith is 6 – 3 against Hall in prior events. Two identical great 0.008 RT’s and Smith pulls hard down the track for the decisive win. Hall is off his best numbers Van Sant will have lane choice next round.
W – Hector Arana Jr / 0.022 / 6.882 / 200.29
L – Chris Bostick / 0.036 / 6.962 / 190.14
Hector Arana Jr. is 22 – 2 in Rd. 1 when qualified #3.Chris Bostick is 0 – 5 in Rd. 1 this year. Matt Smith’s 28 round wins at this event are 4thmost among all PSM riders. John Hall is 1 – 2 against Smith in Rd. 1. This is the first time Bostick and Arana Jr have faced each other in eliminations. Arana is away first and power to the finish line with his second 200 MPH plus pass of the weekend.
W – Eddie Krawiec / 0.041 / 6.870 / 198.50
L – Bud Yoder II / 0.074 / 7.028 / 191.95
Eddie Krawiec wins 89% of his Rd. 1 races when he has lane choice. Bud Yoder is making his 1st Pro start. It’s Krawiec from start to finish with great number all the way. He will have lane choice over A. Smith nest round. Yoder makes his best run of the weekend and will not advance.
W – Gaige Herrera / 0.022 / 6.793 / 198.58
L – Cory Reed / 0.077 / 7.091 / 189.79
This (.054) gap between #1 & 2 is the biggest gap in PSM at Indy since 2002 (A. Sampey 7.152 & Matt Hones 7.219.gap of .067). The #16 PSM qualifier has won in Rd. 1 at this race in 2 of the last 4 years. Great light for Herrera and an easy win. He has lane choice over Evaristo next round. Reed makes his best run of the season but will not go on to round two.
QUARTERFINALS
W – Hector Arana Jr / 0.027 / 6.828 / 199.79
L – Kelly Clontz / 0.069 / 6.956 / 194.58
With his win in Rd. 1 Hector Arana Jr. became just the 8th PSM rider to compete in 400 or more rounds. Kelly Clontz is 0 – 6 in Rd. 2 races. Arana is away first and runs hard to the finish line on another strong pass. No 200 MPR runs, but strong. Clontz Makes her best run of the week, but no joy.
W – Angie Smith / 0.067 / 6.932, 196.62
L – Eddie Krawiec / 0.024 / 7.059, / 198.47
Eddie Krawiec is 9 – 5 against Angie Smith in Rd. 2 races. Angie Smith “leaves first” 67% of the time against Krawiec. With his win in RD.1 Krawiec became just the 2nd PSM rider to win 500 or more rounds (A. Hines, 543) Krawiec is 20 – 7 against Smith in prior events. Krawiec leave first, but the engine bogs and he is done. Smith makes a clean pass for the win. Arana will have lane choice in round three.
W – Matt Smith / 0.024 / 6.866 / 198.20
L – Chase Van Sant / 0.014 / 6.894 / 196.04
Chase Van Sant lost to Smith at Bristol this year. Van Sant is 1 – 0 against Smith in prior events. Van Sant gets a dime lead at the green and holds off a charging Smith until right at half track. Smith pulls steadily ahead for the five foot win.
W – Gaige Herrera / 0.048 / 6.768 / 199.29
L – Ron Tornow / 0.026 / 6.991 / 193.46
Gaige Herrera is 7 – 1 in Rd. 2 this year. Ron Tornow is 0 – 3 against Herrera this year. He lost in Rd. 2 at this race last year. Herrera is 3 – 0 against Tornow in prior events. Tornow gets a big lead off the line, but Herrera powers on by before the 60 foot lights to take a decisive win. He will have lane choice over Matt Smith in round three.
SEMIFINALS
W – Hector Arana Jr / 0.035 / 6.920 / 197.97
L – Angie Smith / 0.035 / 6.920 / 197.97
.Arana Jr is 16 – 6 against Smith in prior events. Arana’s bike initially doesn’t want to start, but the crew finally get it started. He is’t distracted and posts a fifteen light. He powers on down the the track with another 200 plus MPH decisive win. Smith was a little late and still runs hard to the finish line. Angie Smith’s incremental times: 60ft-1.104 sec., 330ft-2.905, 660ft-4.442/158.84 mph, 1,000ft-5.782.Hector Arana Jr’s incremental times: 60ft-1.124 sec., 330ft-2.942, 660ft-4.459/161.61 mph, 1,000ft-5.776.
W – Matt Smith / 0.035 / 6.920 / 197.97
L – Gaige Herrera / 0.035 / 6.920 / 197.97
Smith gets away first by just 0.003 and then has the lead go to Herrera until right before the 330 lights. He pulls on ahead for the win and will have lane choice in the finals. Matt Smith’s incremental times: 60ft-1.105 sec., 330ft-2.895, 660ft-4.418/160.40 mph, 1,000ft-5.745.Gaige Herrera’s incremental times: 60ft-1.068 sec., 330ft-2.932, 660ft-4.460/160.88 mph, 1,000ft-5.787. 3:26 p.m.
FINAL
W – Matt Smith / 0.040 / 6.864 / 198.20
RU – Hector Arana Jr / -0.003 / 6.848 / 199.49
Arana Jr is 15 – 13 against Smith in prior events and Arana Jr is 5 – 1 against Smith in prior final rounds. It’s all over as the tree comes down. Arana is just a tad too quick by -0.003 and gets a Big Red Light. They both run down the track to the finish line and Arana has the better ET! Smith gets his first win of the year in three final rounds and a career thirty seven wins.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series opens its Countdown to the Championship playoffs with the 38th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals on Sept. 14-17 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Penn.
Sunday Qualifying
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera wrapped up his eighth No. 1 spot in nine races in 2023 on the strength of his track record run of 6.746 at 198.96 from Friday on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
He made another strong run to close out qualifying on Sunday, setting Herrera up nicely for raceday, where he’ll open up eliminations against Cory Reed. Herrera made his Pro Stock Motorcycle debut last season at The Big Go and, a year later, the points leader now has a chance to wrap up a dominant regular season with his first Indy win.
“Running the .74 off the trailer, that was a big accomplishment for the whole team,” Herrera said. “They worked pretty hard the last couple of weeks from Sonoma to here. All weekend, I’ve had a very consistent motorcycle and today Andrew (Hines, crew chief) decided to play with tires a little bit. We were in full test mode today, and we’re definitely ready for Monday.
“It would almost top the Western Swing to win Indy. That was a very big accomplishment for me and the whole team, but if I’m able to clinch here at Indy, this is the big race everyone talks about. It would definitely be amazing to win here.”
Herrera’s teammate, Eddie Krawiec, qualified second with his 6.800 at 198.79 and Hector Arana Jr. took the third spot after going 6.828 at 199.11.
1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.96
2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29
3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.828, 199.11
4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.874, 198.15
5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 197.08
6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.881, 197.16
7. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.917, 196.64
8. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.917, 195.70
9. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.934, 195.68
10. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.940, 195.11
11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.47
12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.003, 196.39
13. John Hall, EBR, 7.027, 193.27
14. Chris Bostick, EBR, 7.068, 189.55
15. Bud Yoder II, Buell, 7.114, 191.40
16. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.162, 188.60
Did Not Qualify:
17. Wesley Wells, 7.226, 185.10
18. Odolph Daniels, 7.324, 181.59
Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge
Winner – Gaige Herrera Pro Stock Motorcycle
He didn’t top Friday’s spectacular, track-record run of 6.746 at 198.96 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, but Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera made a pair of strong runs to stay in command heading into Sunday. If Friday’s run holds up, Herrera would get his eighth No. 1 qualifier in nine races, a spectacular feat considering the talent level in the category.
ROUND ONE
W – Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29
L – Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55
W – Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.760, 199.11
L – Angie Smith, Foul – Red Light
FINAL
W – Gaige Herrera, 6.759, 199.11
RU – Eddie Krawiec, 6.822, 199.29
“I was very pleased with that run, but I have to give all the credit to (crew chief) Andrew (Hines) and all the crew guys,” Herrera said. “Andrew has tons of data, and all that but he adjusts per the weather. It’s always last minute before we roll up Andrew is just finishing the final touches before the pass because he wants max performance every pass.
“We’re off to a very good start and I’m definitely looking forward to the next two days. Hopefully it keeps going into Monday.”
Herrera’s teammate, Eddie Krawiec, is stayed second with his 6.807 at 198.79 from Friday and Hector Arana Jr. remained third after going 6.873 at 198.76.
Qualifying
1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.96
2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.29
3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.828, 199.11
4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.877, 198.55
5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 197.08
6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.881, 197.16
7. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.917, 195.70
8. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.934, 195.68
9. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.935, 196.99
10. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.940, 195.11
11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.47
12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.003, 196.39
13. John Hall, Buell, 7.027, 193.27
14. Chris Bostick, EBR, 7.068, 189.55
15. Bud Yoder II, Buell, 7.114, 191.40
16. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.210, 181.25
Not Qualified:
17. Wesley Wells, 7.226, 185.10
18. Odolph Daniels, 7.324, 181.59
FRIDAY Qualifying
Back in action for the first time in a month, Pro Stock Motorcycle continued to belong to Gaige Herrera, as the points leader blistered the track record on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki with an impressive run of 6.746 at 198.96. The last time the class was in action, Herrera was sweeping the Western Swing and he didn’t let up on Friday. If that run holds, Herrera would pick up his eighth No. 1 qualifier in nine races, an incredible success rate in what has been a dominant season. The points leader knows the magnitude of The Big Go and an Indy win would add another spectacular moment in his 2023 campaign.
“I was definitely anxious to get back on the motorcycle, especially after three weeks in a row on the Western Swing and then basically having a month off,” Herrera said. “That 6.74 was a perfect run for us, for the team. The guys at the shop have put in countless hours, and that pass right there showed it.
“But I have all the confidence in the world, and I’m very comfortable on the bike and with the whole team. Everything has been going smooth as can be. We’re here at Indy, this is where I made my debut last year, so it’s kind of got a special feeling to me. It’s been good. It’s Indy, it’s Friday, and there’s a long weekend ahead.”
Herrera’s teammate, Eddie Krawiec, is currently second with a 6.807 at 198.79 and Hector Arana Jr. is third after going 6.873 at 198.76.
1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.746, 198.96
2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.807, 198.79
3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.873, 198.76
4. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.881, 197.16
5. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.882, 199.79
6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.884, 197.68
7. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.917, 195.70
8. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.934, 195.68
9. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.999, 195.42
10. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.003, 196.39
11. John Hall, Buell, 7.048, 194.97
12. Chris Bostick, EBR, 7.068, 189.55
13. Bud Yoder II, Buell, 7.123, 192.06
14. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.226, 187.29
15. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.226, 185.10
16. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.680, 135.97
Not Qualified:
17. Angie Smith, 9.531, 94.99
ABOUT NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown and Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Series. Twice a year, NHRA hosts a ‘race-within-a-race,’ during the JEGS Allstars and Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle specialty competitions. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. With over 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing-related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
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