PX’s Smith Pushing Towards First Win

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Month-by-month, Gaylen Smith seems to be nearing his first ADRL victory.In a talent-laden Pro Extreme field, that’s been enough for Smith to steadily move up the field.Currently fifth in the highly-contested points race, Smith is the only driver in the top six without a win, but it doesn’t mean the Dallas-area native has disappointed.Instead, it’s been the opposite, as Smith and his “Bounty Hunter” PX car has been as consistent as any in the field. Sooner or later, Smith figures that approach will lead to his first win.“Like we do at any other race, we’re always looking for more,” Smith said. “We just have to keep working.”Smith appears to be do something right, even if he can’t quite get over the hump in the final round.He was the No. 1 qualifier at the Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI in June before Joshua Hernandez sent him home with a spectacular pass. Smith went 3.71, but Hernandez topped him with a 3.65 en route to a dominating winning weekend.A month later in Houston, Smith edged Hernandez in one of the closest finishes in ADRL history to advance to his first finals at UTI Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen. Winning by a mere seven inches, Smith earned every part of his first finals appearance in a classic drag race.Frankie Taylor got the win a round later, though Smith and his LenMar Motorsports team were encouraged by the improvements they had made.That momentum carried over to St. Louis, where Smith made the finals once more, this time at the Hardee’s Gateway Drags III.Smith was again denied his first ADRL win, but it took another spectacular run to do it. Alex Hossler went 3.69 at 203.89 miles per hour, which gave him a victory margin of 14 feet against Smith, who went 3.71 at 204.85 mph.Smith has seemingly brought out the best in his opponents, leading to some tough-luck losses in the process.In addition to the loss to Hernandez in June, Smith lost in the Hardee’s Independence Drags semis - which were finished in St. Louis - after his 3.75 wasn’t enough against eventual winner KH Al-Thani, who went 3.69.It might be heart-breaking to most, but Smith insists these neck-and-neck races are always enjoyable. “All these close races, it’s always better to be on top, but it’s always fun to be involved in those,” said Smith (pictured with LenMar Motorsports co-owner Mark Eddins, left.) “I hate getting those bye runs. These are very fun. When you can get up there and drag race and make a race out of it, that’s fun.”It’s also a nod to how top-heavy the Pro Extreme class has become.“It’s been crazy,” Smith said. “These hot rods are incredible. If you don’t have the total package from top to bottom, you’re going to be in trouble.”Smith has felt good with his combination, in part because he has made his ‘57 Bel-Air lighter.It’s made a significant difference and it should keep Smith as one of the PX favorites heading into the final two months of the 2010 season.“We put on a carbon-fiber wheelie bar on the car and it took 30 pounds off the car,” Smith said. “We feel good.”

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