A spectacular winning and national record setting performance in Pro Stock Motorcycle by 2nd generation racer Matt Smith highlighted action at NHRA’s O’Reilly Midwest Nationals.

Smith, who is son to reputed Pro Stock driver Rickie Smith collected the maximum points available per event (138) as he scored his 3rd career victory from the #1 qualified position. Smith unloaded the quickest ET in PSM class history in the final round – a spectacular national record setting 6.901 secs – aboard the Torco/Skull Gear S&S Buell, which easily ran down the U.S. Army Suzuki ridden by Angelle Sampey.

Smith’s victory in fact moved him to first place in NHRA POWERade points over Karen Stoffer. Matt beat Stoffer in round two and also took the measure of Michael Phillips and Hector Arana during Sunday’s eliminations.

Melanie Troxel earned a popular win in Top Fuel during the event when she scored her first title of the season driving the Richard Hogan-tuned Vietnam Veteran/POW MIA dragster. Troxel, who placed 4th in the world in 2006, her first full season in Top Fuel, ran a final round 4.741 secs at 274.33 mph to turn back the Fram-sponsored machine driven by Cory McClenathan.

For Troxel the victory was her first on the circuit since April last year and it came on a very tricky track surface. Melanie defeated Luigi Novelli, Bruce Litton and Larry Dixon in earlier action.

Nevada’s Rod Fuller qualified on the pole for the 2nd consecutive NHRA event when he rode the Rob Flynn-tuned and Caterpillar-sponsored dragster owned by David Powers to a 4.596 secs. Fuller then set low ET of the meet while winning in round one at 4.574 secs.

Ron Capps extended his POWERade points lead in Funny Car when he collected his 3rd win of the season driving the Brut Revolution Dodge Charger. Capps outran the new CSK Chevy Impala of Del Worsham in the final round winning a 4.882 secs 305.98 mph to 4.918 secs 308.50 mph.

Capps, who qualified #7, beat Gary Densham and Cruz Pedregon to set up a match-up against Ashley Force who made the FC “final four” for the second straight event. Capps however won easily at 4.862 secs 310.48 mph when Ashley went up in tire smoke.

The St. Louis area event produced the first round win of the season (!) for defending POWERade World Champion John Force who beat Jeff Arend in round one. Force however again succumbed to tire spin in round two and lost out to Worsham.

New York’s Mike Ashley earned the FC pole (4.799 secs) and was also credited with low ET and top speed of the meet (4.771 secs & 331.77 mph). Amazingly that is the four straight NHRA event which he has accomplished that driving his Torco/Skull Gear Dodge Charger. Ashley again however was not able to turn that performance advantage into victory as he lost in the semi-final round, also to Del Worsham.

Pro Stock racing featured an intra-team final round battle but not between the Summit Racing Equipment cars. This time the Slammers-sponsored Chevy Colbalts driven by teammates David Connolly and Jeg Coughlin raced for event glory. Connolly won his first race since Brainerd last year when his 6.663 secs at 206.99 mph ran down Coughlin’s quicker leaving (.015 RT) 6.695 secs at 206.64 mph.

Connolly’s 10th career NHRA event title also included low ET of the meet for the PS class. He served up a stout 6.657 secs while winning in round two over Allen Johnson’s Mopar. POWERade points leader Greg Anderson, who lost to Coughlin in the semi final round, grabbed top speed in PS at 208.01 mph.

Pro Stock racing featured a strong and unexpected semi-final round placing by former Sports Compact racer Justin Humphreys who, driving a Pontiac GTO, qualified 15th and then rudely took out Jason Line and Warren Johnson on Sunday. Humphreys then served up a .003 RT in the semi final round versus Connolly, however the car made a nasty move and he was forced to abort.

The TF, FC and PS fields at St. Louis were effectively set based on two qualifying runs only -- on Saturday. Friday’s racing schedule was plagued by rain and despite the best efforts to dry the track, action was called early after 6 pairs of Pro Stock cars went down track.

Texan Josh Hernandez continued his domination of the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified circuit as he remained undefeated this season – winning his 4th event of the year.

Hernandez’s victory at St. Louis was however rather anticlimactic as his scheduled opponent – Canada’s Tony Pontieri -- could not make the call after damaging his motor in the semi final round.

Hernandez’s victory came from the #5 qualified position. He drove his Dr. Moon’s Rage Chevy Camaro past Mike Janis, Matt Hagen and his teammate Troy Critchley while advancing to the final round.

Canada’s Raymond Commisso was the PM performance star of the event as he set both low ET and top speed (6.003 secs and 241.37 mph) driving the Toronto-based Steelback-sponsored Chevy Camaro. Raymond had a red-light foul start in round two and lost out to Jay Payne.