The wait is finally over for Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Matt Guidera.

After nearly nearly 14 months away from NHRA competition, Guidera is returning to action this weekend at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip.

On Sept. 5, 2009, Guidera’s world was turned upside down. Guidera, who was competing at the US Nationals in Indianapolis, was suspended by the NHRA for one year for failing to meet the requirements of the Substance Abuse Policy.

“We’re happy to be back racing again and we’re very excited for this weekend,” Guidera said Thursday in Vegas. “I have a little bit of nerves, but I’m also feeling pretty comfortable.”

The wait is finally over for Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Matt Guidera.

After nearly nearly 14 months away from NHRA competition, Guidera is returning to action this weekend at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip.

On Sept. 5, 2009, Guidera’s world was turned upside down. Guidera, who was competing at the US Nationals in Indianapolis, was suspended by the NHRA for one year for failing to meet the requirements of the Substance Abuse Policy.

“We’re happy to be back racing again and we’re very excited for this weekend,” Guidera said Thursday in Vegas. “I have a little bit of nerves, but I’m also feeling pretty comfortable.”

Guidera says he’s going to race in Vegas and at the final event of the season, the Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif., Nov. 11-14.

Financially, these West Coast events make the most sense for Guidera because he lives in Loomis, Calif., just outside of Sacramento. Guidera’s motorcycle is being sponsored by the Mohegan Sun and Rum Bum Racing in Vegas and Pomona. Guidera also is riding his family-owned Rocklin Motorsports Buell.

“We’re getting ready for the 2011 season,” Guidera, 40, said. “The plan is for us to go full time next season. Our sponsors for next year should be the same as they are for these final two races. We’re putting together a program now, and we’re really excited about the support we have been receiving from Rum Bum.”

According to Guidera, in 2009 at Indy, he was issued the paperwork from the NHRA to take a drug test at 4 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 4. Guidera then had 24 hours to go take a drug test. Guidera did go take the drug test in time, but was unable to perform a specimen sample for them in his allotted 24-hour time frame and as a result, the NHRA suspended him.

“I wish it would not have happened, and I wish I would have made it there on time,” said Guidera, who did appeal the NHRA’s decision to suspend him last November, but he was denied. “That being said, I have kind of put it behind me and I hope it does not scar my reputation too badly.”

Guidera was eligible to come back at Indy this season, but in September he had not paid the $2500 fine imposed on him by the NHRA as a result of his suspension.

“I paid the fine about a month ago with the idea that I was going to race at Vegas and Pomona,” Guidera said. “These were the only two races I could logistically go to because I have a regular job that I work at to support my family.”

Guidera is working for Harley-Davidson of Folsom (Calif.). The Guidera family owns the business.

Guidera’s family life also has been keeping him plenty busy. Guidera and his fiancée Lindsey have two children, a 1-year-old girl, Gabriella and and 4 ½-month boy, Matthew.

Guidera did have Larry Cook ride his Buell at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, Calif., July 16-18. Cook qualified No. 10 with a career-best time of 6.957 seconds. Cook, however, lost to Eddie Krawiec in the first round.

Most recently, Guidera did some testing in Sacramento and was happy with his results.

“We were at Sacramento two weeks ago,” Guidera said. “It went really good. We were faster than we have ever been at Sacramento Raceway. We went like 7-flat and everything was just like we left off, if not a little faster.”

Guidera was seventh in the Pro Stock Motorcycle point chase in September of 2009 when he was suspended at Indy.

“We had to go through everything before we took our bike back to the race track,” Guidera said. “But, I think we have a fast enough bike that we can contend for the wins (at Vegas and Pomona). If we go out there and qualify in the top half of the field that will let me know we have a competitive bike and I will be going after the win every round.”

---

{source}
<div style="float:left; padding:5px;"><script type="text/javascript">
google_ad_client = "pub-8044869477733334";
/* 300x250, created 4/3/09 */
google_ad_slot = "2028912167";
google_ad_width = 300;
google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div><div style="padding:5px;">

<script type="text/javascript">
sr_adspace_id = 2000000613807;
sr_adspace_width = 300;
sr_adspace_height = 250;
sr_ad_new_window = true;
sr_adspace_type = "graphic";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.afy11.net/srad.js?azId=2000000613807">
</script></div>
{/source}