A DIFFERENT WORLD AWAITS SMITH IN HOUSTON
Wed, 2009-03-25 11:00
His Racing World May Be Different; His Desire to Win Remains the Same …
A lot has changed since Matt Smith last paraded a winning trophy through the winner’s circle of Houston Raceway Park.
For Smith, rider of the Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle, the more his situation has changed, the more it remains the same. His Racing World May Be Different; His Desire to Win Remains the Same …
A lot has changed since Matt Smith last paraded a winning trophy through the winner’s circle of Houston Raceway Park.
For Smith, rider of the Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle, the more his situation has changed, the more it remains the same.
"Our approach for Houston is the same as it was for Gainesville," said Smith, the 2007 PSM champion. "We're going out there and try to qualify No. 1 and put this DSR Nitro Fish Suzuki in the winner's circle. We were close last race.”
Last year Smith was the class of the Buell combination coming in as the defending world champion as well as the NHRA O’Reilly Springnationals defending champion.
He’s in a different world as a hired rider for Don Schumacher Racing and on a Suzuki, one of his fiercest rivaling manufacturers from 2008.
"It took me a pass or two to get used to the shift points because the Suzuki runs 4000 rpm higher. All in all, I think I've adjusted fairly quickly. I guess Gainesville kind of showed that, coming out and being the No. 1 qualifier.
"Our biggest goal right now is to go out and win. I think the learning curve is over, and Steve and I have to work together and make this bike as fast as we can and do as much as we can and see how soon we can win a race on it.”
Smith started off the 2009 season qualifying No. 1 at the class' season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., and going to the final round. Although a loss of power on the Suzuki resulted in a runner-up finish, Smith, crew chief Steve Tartaglia and team owner Don Schumacher were encouraged by the results.
"Don seemed really excited after the race in Gainesville. I know [crew chief] Steve Tartaglia is really excited about what we've done in testing and the first race. So are (crew members) Tom (Patsis) and Jason (Jones). They had such big smiles on their faces. Being consistent on the tree and going rounds is what's going to lead this Nitro Fish Suzuki team to a win really soon and to run for the title this year."
A lot has changed since Matt Smith last paraded a winning trophy through the winner’s circle of Houston Raceway Park.
For Smith, rider of the Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle, the more his situation has changed, the more it remains the same. His Racing World May Be Different; His Desire to Win Remains the Same …
A lot has changed since Matt Smith last paraded a winning trophy through the winner’s circle of Houston Raceway Park.For Smith, rider of the Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle, the more his situation has changed, the more it remains the same.
"Our approach for Houston is the same as it was for Gainesville," said Smith, the 2007 PSM champion. "We're going out there and try to qualify No. 1 and put this DSR Nitro Fish Suzuki in the winner's circle. We were close last race.”
Last year Smith was the class of the Buell combination coming in as the defending world champion as well as the NHRA O’Reilly Springnationals defending champion.
He’s in a different world as a hired rider for Don Schumacher Racing and on a Suzuki, one of his fiercest rivaling manufacturers from 2008.
"It took me a pass or two to get used to the shift points because the Suzuki runs 4000 rpm higher. All in all, I think I've adjusted fairly quickly. I guess Gainesville kind of showed that, coming out and being the No. 1 qualifier.
"Our biggest goal right now is to go out and win. I think the learning curve is over, and Steve and I have to work together and make this bike as fast as we can and do as much as we can and see how soon we can win a race on it.”
Smith started off the 2009 season qualifying No. 1 at the class' season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., and going to the final round. Although a loss of power on the Suzuki resulted in a runner-up finish, Smith, crew chief Steve Tartaglia and team owner Don Schumacher were encouraged by the results.
"Don seemed really excited after the race in Gainesville. I know [crew chief] Steve Tartaglia is really excited about what we've done in testing and the first race. So are (crew members) Tom (Patsis) and Jason (Jones). They had such big smiles on their faces. Being consistent on the tree and going rounds is what's going to lead this Nitro Fish Suzuki team to a win really soon and to run for the title this year."
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