With his focus on racing blurred last week by the death of his grandfather, Matt Smith was relieved to be looking ahead to Friday when he will be competing in the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., the final Countdown to 10 regular-season event.

“It has been kind of a tough thing to deal with,” Matt said of the passing of Burke Smith last Thursday.  “We haven’t thought much about racing lately, but it is good to be focusing on it again.”

While Smith says it looks like he’s locked into the No. 4 Pro Stock Motorcycle berth for NHRA’s Countdown to 1 playoffs, a winning performance aboard his Al-Anabi Racing V-Twin at Brainerd could elevate him to third place – and be a perfect tribute to his grandfather. 

With his focus on racing blurred last week by the death of his grandfather, Matt Smith was relieved to be looking ahead to Friday when he will be competing in the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., the final Countdown to 10 regular-season event.

“It has been kind of a tough thing to deal with,” Matt said of the passing of Burke Smith last Thursday.  “We haven’t thought much about racing lately, but it is good to be focusing on it again.”

While Smith says it looks like he’s locked into the No. 4 Pro Stock Motorcycle berth for NHRA’s Countdown to 1 playoffs, a winning performance aboard his Al-Anabi Racing V-Twin at Brainerd could elevate him to third place – and be a perfect tribute to his grandfather.     

Smith has two 2010 victories (Charlotte 1 and Norwalk, Ohio) and three semifinal finishes included in his 716 points, only 30 out of third place.

Playoff points for the 10 drivers in each pro category will be reset in 10-point increments after this race.  Should Smith remain fourth, he will have 2,060, 50 behind the leader, who also receives a 20-point bonus.

“We won at Brainerd in 2008 and we are looking forward to this race,” said Smith.  “We’ve run well there before.

“We are working on our new parts too, getting everything ready for Indianapolis (site of the U.S. Nationals and the first of six playoff races, Sept. 3-6).  That’s when it all counts (for the championship).”