We are one race away from completing our season this year. I will say I am ready for a small break. The last couple of races have been pretty good for us. In Reading Matt ran an amazing 6.795 at 194. It was the quickest side-by-side race in history. That’s an honor if you ask me. We lost in the finals but we have nothing to hang our head about at that race.

With the West Coast races approaching we had a lot of work to do. It was our first and only time we will race at Phoenix. We were pretty excited because Matt has a pretty good record at new racetracks. With another semifinal appearance in Phoenix we were looking al right for the Championship. Some good things would have to happen for us, and bad luck to others. While we were having fun racing at the track some others were having fun in Las Vegas. That was Michael Ray and Jenn. They got married on October 16, which is ironically our anniversary as well. I guess we will be celebrating anniversaries together in the future. Congrats to Michael and Jenn Ray.

We headed over to Las Vegas. It was only a five-hour drive. Matt and I decided to stay out west between the Phoenix and Las Vegas races. Matt decided to test on Tuesday and Wednesday in Las Vegas. Well with all of our crew at home in North Carolina I served as the crew girl. We made five passes on Tuesday and five passes on Wednesday with two motor swaps. Let me just tell you I was tired. Matt was mainly inside doing tune-ups and maps on the computer so I was solely responsible for the bike. We didn’t have any mistakes or mishaps so all was good. Matt took me out to a very nice dinner after testing at Shibuya in the MGM Grand. It is an amazing Japanese restaurant. After testing we spent several days working on the bikes to get them prepared for the Las Vegas event.

While staying in Las Vegas we got to tour the Nellis Air Force Base. That was really fun and a learning experience. I absolutely love those jets and my dream is to fly in a jet. Hopefully that will come true. Thank you to all the folks that got us hooked up to go over to Nellis Air Force Base.

Las Vegas was a pretty great event, not only at the track, but at the Aliante Casino and Hotel as well. Aliante Casino stepped up and sponsored Matt for the event. Aliante Hotel sponsored us with the nicest room in the facility, the Presidential Suite. Let me just say we felt like a king and queen staying there. With two bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, an amazing view of the pool, and 72-inch TV. What is not to love about that. Thank you so much to Linda Bowers and everyone at Aliante Casino and Hotel who made it happen for us.

Matt and Steve Nichols did an awesome job of tuning our bikes because we had three bikes in the show on Sunday. That is a huge accomplishment. None of us had to race each other first round and that was great too. Matt’s bike spun really bad when he dropped the clutch so he didn’t get the win. Michael did an awesome job on the starting line with a .007 light and a VERY close race at the finish line. All in all Michael still has nothing to hang his head about. He did awesome all weekend long. I have been struggling with the starting line the last couple of races. I have been very frustrated with myself. I have improved and I think it showed. Not a very good light first round but it was enough to take the win light. Round 2 was going to be a tough match up. I had the No. 1 qualifier. I knew I had to do my job on the starting line. That is exactly what I did. I had an .021 light and took the win light on a hole shot. A 7.04 beat a 6.97. I was very happy. I helped Eddie Kraweic out so he is taking Matt and I to dinner in California along with Anne Marie. I know some folks are upset with me for the second-round win but I show up at the racetrack with the same mentality as everyone else: TO WIN!!! Every time I have to go out and do my best. I wasn’t to win a Wally.

Well we are home for a few days to relax before heading back out to Pomona. I love Pomona and the banquet. We will have some fun after all the pressure is done. For Pomona we are hoping for a win out of one of our teammates. Let’s do this.
 

Over the last couple of weeks things have been pretty crazy here. With three races back to back we have not had a lot of time to even breathe. We don’t have any full time people working in the shop so that leaves me to help out everyday. Thank goodness we have managed to get everything done in time to leave for the races.

Matt has had several good outings in the countdown. With two semifinal appearances and one final round appearance he has moved up to third in points. We feel like the Championship is within reach. After the Charlotte race we found some power and I think it is showing. Currently we are four rounds out of first so each race from now until Pomona has to be stellar to say the least. Matt and I will be racing Phoenix and Michael Ray will join us again for the last two events in Las Vegas and Pomona. Michael is doing an excellent job of riding the bike and we are enjoying him being a part of our team.

The sponsorship hunt still remains the same. We are currently seeking sponsors for the 2012 season. Right now neither one of us has funding to race next year. We are trying to be optimistic because our team is running strong right now. I think we have a lot to offer a company that wants to get involved in a family oriented team and sport as NHRA drag racing.

Even though this is probably the most stressful time of year as far as racing it is still my favorite time of the year. All of the girls are getting their dresses for the banquet. It reminds me of being in high school and going to the prom. We always have so much fun at the banquet because the stress is over for the night and it is all about having a little bit of fun with the people you spend the most time with and that is our racing family.

We have a new member in the Smith family. Her name is Miss Juliet Leigh Speed. Amanda had her baby on October 4 after being two weeks over due. Juliet weighed 9lbs 4oz and was 21 inches long. She is so beautiful. Amanda and Juliet are home from the hospital and are doing very well.

So to say the least the 2011 season has been a very challenging year for us with both of our sponsors pulling out on us in the middle of the year. We have managed to make it this far and we both feel like we can’t quit now. We have to contend for this championship and try to win it. We really could use the money. I would like to say thank you to Haltech, Steve Nichols, Red Line Oil, PJ1, Mark and Marshall Stockseth, Tyler and Stacy Wilson for supporting us in a much needed time. Its been very hard but we have kept the faith and God will get us through this. A special thank-you to all the fans that have supported us.
 

I know its been awhile since I wrote a blog. Usually that says that I have been on overload since the West Coast swing. We were home for one week before heading to Brainerd. That week was full of 18-hour days at the shop. With it only being Matt and I that worked at the shop everyday it gets really tough when we have several motors to build. It was so busy that on the day we were leaving we dynoed from 7-12 p.m. that morning. When we were finally happy with the numbers on the dyno then we loaded up and headed to Brainerd.

Brainerd was not a good race for us. We went into the race with a lot of high hopes from myself and Matt. We just missed it on the good session. Usually the “good session” is Saturday morning but it wasn’t. It was the Friday evening pass so we were not where we wanted to be at the end of qualifying. Sunday was no different. When I let the clutch out against LE I had 2 hundredths on him but he passed me before the 60 foot. A 1.11 60 foot doesn’t get you anywhere these days. The bike actually ran well down the back half just lost it all in the front half. Matt red-lighted against Savoie. He gave away his best pass of the weekend at a 6.89 which was 3rd fastest of the round. We packed up again after 1st round. Not only did we have a bad race day but then it continues. We drove all night long to get home. We were 4 hours from home and we lost a wheel. Yes the whole wheel. It was so bad that we couldn’t put a spare on. Broke the spindle and everything. The guys figured out a way for us to get home but only by driving 45mph the whole way. Not only did we get home later than expected but we were only going to be home for 24 hours.

The next 24 hours were so hectic. We had so many things to get done to leave again with addition to the trailer getting fixed. Well I will say 80 percent  of it is done. We are finishing up as we speak. Our schedule is so busy for the next couple of days. We are at Jerry Bickels Race Cars picking up Rickie’s new race car and it is absolutely beautiful. As some of you may have noticed that Rickie’s name is back on the entry list for Pro Mod in INDY. Yes he got cleared by all the doctors to race which was a blessing. He is so ready to get back in the seat of the car. He will be debut his new IDG Camaro. Matt was the fill-in driver for Indy but then when Rickie got released they decided to race two cars. So Matt will be racing the traditional Rickie Smith car and paint scheme and Rickie will be flashy with his new Camaro. Not only will Matt be racing the car but also the bike as well. Matt will also be tuning a bike for myself as well as Michael Ray. We are excited to have Michael Ray join our team for some races. So if you see me or Matt running around at Indy like a mad person there is a reason for it. Everyone please come by and see us at Indy. We love our fans and love to hang out with them.

Until next time….
 

Rickie had surgery a couple of weeks ago. He is healing up. Rickie is not able to bear any weight on his left leg for 3 months. That’s probably going to be the hardest thing about the recovery. The pain is at a minimal level now. I think the thing that’s the most aggravating is that Rickie can’t go and do everything he is used to doing. The doctor gave him a great evaluation this week so he is on the right track. The plan is for him to attend Indianapolis but not race. Thank you so much for all the caring individuals that have sent us emails, flowers, and phone calls. It’s greatly appreciated!!!

On the Wednesday of the Joliet race Rickie and Matt went testing to get Matthew’s Pro Mod license. The crew on the car was Michael (Matt’s best friend), me, and Tristan. Tommy Lee was there to sign Matthew’s license. Well let’s just say I am so thankful Tommy was there. He helped us out a bunch. Rickie was directing everyone on what to do but the only problem was we didn’t know where anything was in the trailer. Matt had an idea. I packed the parachutes for the car and Michael, Matt and Tommy worked on the car. Rickie did some of the work probably more than he should have. Matt received his Pro Mod license with two runs shutting off around the 1000’ by the end of the morning. He went 6.12 @ 212 and 6.30 @ 202. He did great and I am proud of him.

Matt and I both are currently seeking sponsorship. We have several marketing people working for us. I really hope someone comes through with something very soon. Otherwise we are going to be sidelined for the remainder of the year. Matt is doing awesome this year with 1 win, 1 runner up, and a few semifinal runs. He is currently 3rd in point standings. For a very small amount of money someone can partner up with us and have a great run for this Full Throttle Championship. If anyone is interested or know anyone that might be interested please feel free to contact us at mattsmithracing@yahoo.com.

Here is a funny story from the race this past weekend in Joliet.

Matt goes up to race LE Tonglet in the semifinals. Matt lost the close race. I turned the corner to the staging lanes to find that I couldn’t find the golf cart. I remember where I parked it I thought. So I walked all the way down to the last golf cart and back up to not find it again. I thought I was losing my mind. I made another lap down and back to see if I had overlooked it. NOTHING!! Ok now I was in a frantic state. The ONLY set of motorhome keys was in the golf cart locked up. I made my final and 3rd lap down and back to find no golf cart. All of the guys had gone down to get Matt at the end of the track. So I went up to the tower and told them my golf cart was missing. They immediately got on the radios to put a search out for our golf cart. I was “flippin’ out” because of the keys. All I could think of is how we were going to get in the motorhome and how happy my husband was going to be. NHRA called the police and all the NHRA officials were looking for our golf cart. I started walking back to the trailer. Still no one has checked on me to see where I am. I finally hitched a ride with some folks on a golf cart. We were passing Pro Stock car and I almost jumped off the golf cart I was on. I saw our golf cart. A sigh of relief. It was parked at Vincent Nobile’s pit area. I ran over and said Thank God I found my golf cart. Everyone kinda looked at me strangely. I told them I had reported our golf cart stolen. The guys started conversing between themselves trying to figure out who drove the golf cart up. The name Irene got brought up several times. They got Irene out of the truck and asked her if she drove it up. She did. She thought it was Allen Johnson’s golf cart. She said I have the keys to it. I said my keys fit it to. It was a simple mistake and now something for John to give her a hard time about.

We drove over to our pit area and the NHRA officials were there telling Matt that his golf cart got stolen when I drove up on it. I briefly told him the story and took Irene to get their golf cart. It’s a funny story now but I was in a severe panic at the moment.