TWO-TIME PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WORLD CHAMPION MATT SMITH ENTERS CRUNCH TIME AT TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. — Seven races remain in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season for Pro Stock Motorcycle. That means there is still significant time for two-time world champion Matt Smith to find his rhythm and move into championship contention.

But sitting 11th place in the points standings, that isn’t the approach Smith takes into this weekend’s 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

In fact, Smith has just the opposite mindset. After consecutive first-round losses and only one round win through the first three events of 2015 on his Victory Factory Racing Gunner, Smith wants the slump to end immediately.

“We need to win rounds,” said Smith, who has 17 career victories. “(Wife) Angie has two round wins and I’ve got one. We’ve got to win some rounds and get some points built up so we can get into the top 10. It’s starting to get down to crunch time and we are starting to put some pressure on ourselves. That’s why we’re testing a lot right now.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. It is just the fourth of 16 events for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, but Smith is eager for a big turnaround.

Considering his impressive track record it is understandable, and seeing Smith outside the top 10 is surprising. He has finished in the top five in eight of the past nine years – finishing sixth in the other year – displaying the kind of consistency that has made him one of the top riders in the class for nearly a decade.

To earn another spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and earn his first victory since 2013, Smith knows he has work to do. But that aspect of the job has certainly never been a problem for Smith.

“After we left Atlanta (the most recent race), we drove straight to Rockingham (Dragway) to test,” Smith said. “We’re trying to figure this out. I just don’t want to get too far behind. We’ve been working hard and trying to get everything right. We’re figuring out little things, but we need a tenth (of a second). That’s how far we’re off from where we need to be.”

There may be frustration in Smith’s voice, but the potential for a quick about-face at Raceway Park is certainly there. He has two wins in Englishtown (2011, 2006), which means it may be the perfect spot for a turnaround.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to perform a lot better,” Smith said. “We just need to win rounds and have a chance to win races. We’re struggling a little bit right now. We have more power than last year but we haven’t put it together.”

Smith said qualifying better will be crucial in Englishtown. After qualifying No. 1 at the season-opening race in Gainesville – only to lose in the first round to his wife – Smith has qualified No. 14 at each of the past two races. He knows that is not a typical method for success, especially considering the talent in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Defending world champ Andrew Hines took home his second Englishtown victory last season en route to his fourth series crown. Hines is currently second in points to teammate and Bayonne, N.J. native Eddie Krawiec, a 2012 winner of this event. Former Englishtown bike winners Angelle Sampey and Shawn Gann will also be in pursuit of more success at the event. Meanwhile, Hector Arana Jr., Karen Stoffer, Steve Johnson, LE Tonglet and Scotty Pollacheck are among a group of riders who are ready to challenge for the victory.

With ideal conditions expected, Smith feels a number of impressive runs could happen throughout the weekend. He is also hoping to have a number of them on his own bike.

“I love going to Englishtown,” Smith said. “It’s always fast and the conditions are usually great there. We are really trying to go fast.”

In Top Fuel, Crampton, who has two victories this season including the most recent event in Topeka, claimed his first career win at Englishtown one year ago, becoming the 100th different driver to win in the category. Three-time Top Fuel world champ Larry Dixon is tied for the most wins at Englishtown, while other standouts include Doug Kalitta, who won in 2000 and 2003, eight-time and defending world champ Tony Schumacher, 2013 winner Shawn Langdon, 2011 Englishtown winner Spencer Massey, 2012 winner Steve Torrence, J.R. Todd, Brittany Force and Atlanta winner Antron Brown.

Pedregon, who has three wins at the event, dominated the weekend at Englishtown last season in Funny Car, qualifying No. 1 and storming to the event win over Del Worsham. Four of John Force’s record 142 career victories have come in New Jersey, but he hasn’t won the event since 1999. Two-time and defending world champ Matt Hagan has enjoyed past success at Englishtown, winning the event in 2013, and other class stars are points leader Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr., Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force, Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, who won the most recent event, and Atlanta winner Tim Wilkerson.

Greg Anderson leads the Pro Stock category with five career wins at Raceway Park, while teammate Jason Line has three wins in New Jersey. Defending world champ Erica Enders, who took over the points lead with a win in Topeka, is looking to add the Toyota NHRA Summernationals to her career victory total, while 2011 winner, Allen Johnson, 1994 winner and recent Charlotte winner Larry Morgan, Las Vegas runner-up Vincent Nobile, Houston runner-up Chris McGaha, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray also figure to be major players in the ultra-competitive factory hot rod class.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will hit the track for its fourth race of the 2015 season. The Toyota NHRA Summernationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where the future stars of the sport earn their racing stripes.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, June 5, with sessions at 4 and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 6, at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 7.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, the ninth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J. From the North, take N.J. Turnpike South to Exit 9, follow the signs to Rt. 18 South. Go six miles to the Englishtown exit. Take Rt. 527 South five miles. Make a left onto Pension Rd. Go ¼ mile, track entrance on left.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 60 feet above sea level; Track direction is northeast to southwest.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, June 4-7

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, June 4 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, June 5 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 5:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 6 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, June 6, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 7, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 11 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, June 6, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/Transponder 23C

Sunday, June 7, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 23C

(4160 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock, Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Kenny Bernstein, 7, (4 FC, 3 TF); Joe Amato, 6, TF; Larry Dixon, 6, TF; Don Prudhomme, 6, FC; John Force, 4, FC; Greg Anderson,5, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 4,PS; Bob Glidden, 4, PS; Warren Johnson, 4, PS; John Myers, 4, PSM; Dave Schultz, 4, PSM.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.728 sec. by Spencer Massey, June ’12; 329.91 mph by Massey, June ’12.

Funny Car – 3.959 sec. by Cruz Pedregon, June ’14; 321.04 mph by Del Worsham, June ’14.

Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, June ’14.

PS Motorcycle – 6.747 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, June ’14; 199.23 mph by Andrew Hines, June ’14.

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.

Funny Car – 3.965 sec. by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.; 325.06 mph by Courtney Force, May ’15, Topeka, Kan.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., April ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800. Tickets also are available online at www.racewaypark.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 628; 2. Tony Schumacher, 575; 3. Richie Crampton, 547; 4. Spencer Massey, 530; 5. Doug Kalitta, 502; 6. Larry Dixon, 476; 7. Shawn Langdon, 473; 8. J.R. Todd, 411; 9. Clay Millican, 395; 10. Steve Torrence, 392.

Funny Car: 1. Ron Capps, 580; 2. Matt Hagan, 575; 3. Jack Beckman, 531; 4. Del Worsham, 507; 5. John Force, 502; 6. Robert Hight, 460; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 456; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 447; 9. (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 395; Cruz Pedregon, 395.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 719; 2. Jason Line, 661; 3. Greg Anderson, 654; 4. Chris McGaha, 542; 5. Rodger Brogdon, 493; 6. Larry Morgan, 452; 7. Drew Skillman, 424; 8. Vincent Nobile, 421; 9. Shane Gray, 401; 10. Allen Johnson, 369.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Eddie Krawiec, 286; 2. Andrew Hines, 212; 3. Hector Arana, 201; 4. (tie) Hector Arana Jr, 195; Karen Stoffer, 195; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, 175; 7. LE Tonglet, 165; 8. Angelle Sampey, 161; 9. Shawn Gann, 155; 10. Jim Underdahl, 128.