Smith rides Suzuki into fourth to complete 2009 NHRA season

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 5 of 5 in Countdown to 1 playoffs for Pro Stock Motorcycle class
Round 17 of 17 for season
45th annual AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.)
Nov. 12-15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

SMITH RIDES NITRO FISH SUZUKI INTO FOURTH TO COMPLETE 2009 NHRA SEASON

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2009) - Matt Smith, rider of the Nitro Fish
Ultimate Gear Suzuki, ended his first year with Don Schumacher Racing in the
2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series claiming fourth place in the Pro
Stock Motorcycle championship.

With high hopes of winning his first national event for DSR at this
weekend's 45th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, Smith had to settle for a
first-round finish when something broke on the bike as he neared the finish
line.

Facing Jim Underdahl in the opening round, Smith was on a winning run, but
was defeated by Underdahl's 7.059-second pass at 191.29 mph when he slowed
to a 7.413/147.29.

"Everyone on the Nitro Fish team went up there with a goal to win our first
race for DSR," said Smith, the 2007 PSM world champion. "We had a good bike
and we thought we could win the race. We put in a new motor in for the day
and it didn't fare out.

"I had an .05 light, I was right where I wanted to be. We were already ahead
before 330 feet (of 1320) and something broke. We don't know what yet.

"It gives Steve (Tartaglia, crew chief) a lot of stuff to do over the winter
because he's got a lot to fix, it looks like. I feel bad for him because he
builds very good stuff and it's dependable stuff and it really stinks to
have problems like this, especially at the end of the year.

"We wanted to finish on a high note, or at least do the best we can, and yet
we lose first round and we have another hurt motor.

"We'll go to the banquet with our fourth-place finish and stand up there
knowing we worked hard this year. We'll come back strong and motivated for
DSR next year and see if we can win a championship.

"We're glad it's over. Everything will start at zero in 2010."

FINAL PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINT STANDINGS:
1. Hector Arana, 2590
2. Eddie Krawiec, 2588
3. Andrew Hines, 2446
4. Matt Smith, 2369
5. Doug Horne, 2362
6. Michael Phillips, 2321
7. Karen Stoffer, 2249
8. Shawn Gann, 2248
9. Craig Treble, 2202
10. Matt Guidera, 2020

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