Championship Drag Racing

ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals
Englishtown, NJ
(June 21-24)

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Driver Profile

Chris Rivas G2 Drag Specialties S&S Buell V-Twin

Englishtown, prerace: Matt Smith and Chris Rivas are ready to come out on top this weekend with their Torco Race Fuel Buells at the ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown.

Smith has many memories of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, some bad and some good. The race that is normally ran on Father’s Day holds a special place in Smith’s heart. Smith won his first race ever in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class last year with his father, Rickie Smith along his side.

“Last year was one of the greatest moments in my career,” said Smith. “My dad was here along with my son, Tristan who hardly ever gets to come to a race, so you can imagine how excited I was to win. It was also my first true win ever in NHRA, so this place will always be dear to me.”

Englishtown however, provides some not so great memories as well. In 2003, Smith was caught by a huge gust of wind after he passed the grandstands, which slammed him into the wall. Smith ended up with a broken foot and was sidelined for the rest of the year.

“That year was definitely a trying one,” said Smith. “Having to sit back and watch everyone else race was very difficult. I got back at the track last year when I won, so I have kind of grown attached to this track over the years. Hopefully we can come out of here with a win again.”

Even though Smith’s teammate Chris Rivas does not have a lot of memories at Englishtown, Rivas is hoping to change all that this weekend.

“Chicago was my first race with Matt and Evan,” said Rivas. “We ended up losing second round, but only because of a missed tune up. This Torco Buell is unbelievable fast and I hope to capitalize on it this weekend.”

“Matt is running a championship caliber team over here,” said Rivas. “Not only am I happy to be apart of it, but I am ready to start winning races. Matt works so hard in and out of the shop, and I want to be able to show that on the track.”

Rivas remains sixth in the championship points and Smith stretched his point’s lead last time out in Chicago with a runner-up finish. He now leads the class by 80 points.

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