Matt Smith saved the best for last.

The two-time world champion clocked a 6.814-second elapsed time at 199.14 mph to take the No. 1 qualifying position at the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

Smith, who runs his own team, has Erik Buell Racing body work, which he debuted in Brainerd, Minn., and he was thrilled with his performance Sunday.

“We struggled this weekend a little bit with the clutch in my bike,” said Smith, who is running a Gen2 horsepower. “That’s kind of what bit us second round up there at Brainerd. It bit us in Q2 here (at Indy) and we finally found it in Q4. So, we put our normal tune-up back in it and our normal motor back in it and went to the pole. All in all, we have a fast bike and I think everybody knows that. Long as I do my job and we don’t have any malfunctions, we should be pretty hard to beat (Monday).”

This was Smith’s 29th career No. 1 qualifying spot and his third at Indy as he also was the top qualifier at Lucas Oil Raceway in 2006, and 2008-2009. He also won the U.S. Nationals in 2006.

Smith’s enthusiasm was dampened a little bit as his wife, and teammate, Angie was knocked out of the field in Q5. She wound up in the No. 17 spot in the ladder with a 6.952-second run. Smith came to Indy eighth in the points standings and now will have to wait and see if she can stay in the top in points after race-day Monday.

“Her heart is broken, but we figured up all the points and as it stands right now she is still eighth by three points over Angelle (Sampey),” Matt said. “If Angelle loses first and Hector (Arana) Sr. loses first round she is locked in. I think she will be fine.”