NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Defending champ Matt Smith snatched the No. 1 spot from Hector Arana Jr. with a 6.879 burst in the third Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying session. That's .005 second quicker than what Arana ran in the second qualifying session at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. 

Smith ran alongside Arana, Eddie Krawiec and Steve Johnson -- none of them had anything for the reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. Andrew Hines made the biggest move (6.925 from 6.947) but that's still far from the 6.80s run by Arana and Smith. As usual, Smith made sure to rub it in after having weight put on his bike -- just like the Harley-Davidson and other EBR and Buell riders. 

"It wasn't supposed to go that fast," said Smith. "We're only trying to go second or third because we don't want weight added on us no more. The Suzuki folks just gotta tune a little bit better, that's all they gotta do."

Whether there's a little sarcasm added in there ... well, it's always hard to tell with Smith. He's No. 1 for now and has a very good bike. 

QUALIFYING ORDER Q3

1    Matt Smith    6.879
2    Hector Arana Jr.    6.884
3    Eddie Krawiec    6.919
4    Andrew Hines    6.925
5    Karen Stoffer    6.947
6    Angie Smith    6.967
7    Ryan Oehler    6.98
8    Steve Johnson    6.983
9    Hector Arana    6.984
10    James Underdahl    6.997
11    Cory Reed    7.002
12    Jerry Savoie    7.017
13    Angelle Sampey    7.043
14    Fred Camarena    7.046
15    Joey Gladstone    7.049
16    Scotty Pollacheck    7.053
17    Jianna Salinas    7.069
18    Katie Sullivan    7.12
19    Kelly Clontz    16.925