Columbus: Matt Smith final summary

Matt Smith on short end of close drag race

HEBRON, Ohio, (June 13, 2004) -- By one-hundredth of a second, Matt Smith, from King, N.C., rider on the Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki, lost to Antron Brown, from Indianapolis, at this weekend's running of the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at National Trail Raceway, near Columbus, Ohio.

Brown, who qualified No. 9, had a reaction time of .027 seconds to .032 seconds for Smith, who qualified eighth. The elapsed time for the quarter-mile was 7.291 seconds for Brown to 7.296 seconds for Smith. The advantage to Brown at the finish line was .010 of a second.

"Even after having to start and stop the engine a couple of times, Matt had a good light but ran out of room on the top end," said Star Racing owner George Bryce, who along with George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, is a partner in G Squared Motorsports.

Chief starter Rick Stewart was forced to shut both bikes down twice due to problems, but the interruptions didn't seem to bother either driver.

"It didn't bother me," said Smith. "I just remained focused and did my job when the time came. I was more bothered by losing the race."

The next race for Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki is the NHRA K&N Filters SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown N.J. The event will take place next weekend June 17-20.

"Current plans call for having the Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki at Englishtown," concluded Bryce.

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