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The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is back this weekend at the 15th annual American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, and former champion Matt Smith is looking to nab his fourth career win at his home track in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
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Smith, a six-time world champion, hails from nearby King, N.C., and rides the Denso Spark Plugs Buell to lead a strong team effort at Matt Smith Racing. Nearly two months after starting the season in Gainesville, Charlotte marks the second event for the two-wheeled category in 2025. After finishing runner-up at the season opener in Gainesville in March, Smith and his team are ready to get back to racing and show the improvements the team has made since the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
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“Since Gainesville, the Matt Smith Racing team has been really hard at work on our engines,” Smith said. “We had a few engines we had to fix up after Gainesville, so it was nice to have a little bit of a break to take those slowly and make sure we weren’t making any mistakes.”
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Last season’s American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals winners were Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The 2025 race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 27. It is the fifth of 20 events during the 2025 season, and it is loaded with special events to honor the 1,000th Top Fuel race, including a special trophy presented to the winner by NHRA legend Don Garlits on Sunday.

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With his runner-up finish in Gainesville, Smith is also in this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. He’ll meet up with teammates Angie Smith, John Hall, and Jianna Evaristo. The other side of the ladder will be reigning world champion and Gainesville winner Gaige Herrera, Richard Gadson, Chase Van Sant, and Kelly Clontz, as Smith and the other talented riders in the class have a chance for a big weekend.

“The six-week break gave us some time to repair those engines, but we’re ready to be back for sure,” Smith said. “Gainesville was really good for us after a long winter, and trying to adapt to this new fuel. The first race of the year is good to see where everyone else is at after the winter, especially with this new fuel. After that first race, we’re able to have a baseline and then figure out how we can improve by this weekend in Charlotte.”
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The last time Smith and the Pro Stock Motorcycle class competed at zMAX Dragway, the veteran won the Charlotte fall race last season. He feels confident about returning to his home track, hoping to build momentum with an early-season victory.
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“I know it wasn’t the four-wide at Charlotte [in the fall], but knowing we won the race last time we were on property at zMAX Dragway boosts my confidence. I’m one of the racers who likes the four-wide race,” Smith said. “I love the challenge of it all. I won the very first four-wide ever, and it was in Charlotte, so my confidence is high.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. ET on Friday, April 25, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 26, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon ET on Sunday, April 27. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations action at 6 p.m. ET to follow.
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To purchase tickets to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, please visit or call 800-455-3267.��
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