Wasn't there supposed to be a learning curve for Matt Smith this season?

The former Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who made a name for himself the past three seasons aboard a Buell decided in 2009 that he would take up an offer from Don Schumacher to return to Suzuki. Changing bike manufacturers typical involves a period of adjustment for the driver. 

Smith brought seven testing runs into Gainesville and qualified No. 1. Wasn't there supposed to be a learning curve for Matt Smith this season?

The former Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who made a name for himself the past three seasons aboard a Buell decided in 2009 that he would take up an offer from Don Schumacher to return to Suzuki. Changing bike manufacturers typical involves a period of adjustment for the driver. 

Smith brought seven testing runs into Gainesville and qualified No. 1.

One race later in Houston, Smith has moved into the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead after making it to the second round of eliminations, while at the same time setting a national elapsed-time record of 6.865 seconds at 193.16 mph, earning him an additional 20 points. Smith is now 22 points ahead of Hector Arana.

"Setting the national record is huge for us," said Smith. "This Nitro Fish Suzuki was awesome today. We were on another 6.86-6.87 pass that time (against Treble). It looks like we lost two cylinders. The motor is fine; it looks like an electrical problem caused it. The motor just cut off out there.

"We're happy to be the points leader, but we want to win. I know Don (Schumacher) wants to win and I want to win. We're still looking at the big picture, though. We'll be there for the championship, I think, because of the Countdown, but we just want to get a win under our belt and go on."