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To receive an autographed picture, please send a self-addressed stamped 8 X 10 envelope to Hartman Motorsports 5611 Highway 81 North Williamston, SC 29697 ________________________________________________________ CHECK OUT PHOTOS & INTERVIEWS OF JOHN & RHONDA WITH RIK ANTHONY FROM THE O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS
__________________________________________________ JOHN TUNES STIG NEERGAARD TO SECOND FINAL IN FINLAND 7/06/09 - John Smith tuned Denmark native Stig Neergaard to a runner-up finish for the second race in a row in Finalnd this past weekend running the quickest lap of the event, 4.109 e.t. to Andy Carter's 4.126 e.t., but lost the race on a hole shot. This was a rematch from the first race of the their season in Santa Pod, England for the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. "We made some great progress this weekend and have sorted through all of the problems that have plagued the team in the past," said John. "It was disappointing that we were so close to a win with that great lap, but we left nothing on the table and showed that we are competitive and running for the championship win. We'll be ready to move forward at the Sweden event in just a few weeks (July 23-26)."
JOHN SMITH MAKES THE BIG SHOW - RESULTS
5/03/09 - John Smith qualified lucky # 13 for the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals held in Madison, IL. He was paired against rookie Spencer Massey, driver of Don Prudhomme's Skoal dragster, in the first round of eliminations. John cut a stellar 0.58 reaction time and ran a 3.98 elapsed time (his best lap of the weekend) to Spencer's 0.30 reaction time at 3.90 elapsed time. Although John lost the race, it was a close match until his dragster dropped a cylider down track. "We only made one qualifying lap to get into the show due to the rain on Friday and we had made the show with our first run Saturday recording a 4.06 e.t." said Smith. "I was a little rusty the first run just making sure I did my job correctly, but knew that I had to cut a good light against Spencer in round one. I worked with him when he licensed in Mitch King's Top Fuel dragster last year. I knew Spencer's tough on the tree so I was ready for it!"
JOHN SMITH RETURNS TO TOP FUEL COMPETITION 4/29/09 - John Smith will be back behind the wheel this coming weekend at the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals held in Madison, Ill. John makes his return to NHRA Top Fuel competition with help from SaferBrakeLight.com, Red Line Oil, Wheel Vintiques, and Ole Country Smokehouse. Independent racer Terry Haddock has given John Smith the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of his Top Fuel dragster after he made the decision to run his Funny Car during this weekend’s event due to the lack of points he would earn at the event in Top Fuel since NHRA implemented their new testing policy. “I helped Terry this past weekend with his Top Fuel car in Rockingham, NC for the IHRA event and the subject came up for me to drive his dragster this weekend” said Smith. “I have been racing at IHRA events, match races, and tuning for several teams over the years and this was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I already had plans on attending the race so that I could help the Simpson’s with their Top Fuel dragster and now I’ll be pulling double duty.” John’s father, Paul Smith, will be closely working with the Haddock team this weekend and his wife and former Top Fuel pilot, Rhonda Hartman-Smith will be cheering them on. John added, “Rhonda and I are working every opportunity to get back into competition and we have some programs that we are putting together, but anytime that I can be out here working whether it’s tuning or driving it’s a blessing. I have grown up in this sport and in no way am I ready to step away.” “If it weren’t for Paul Smith and John helping me out over the years, I wouldn’t be where I am today with my racing operation,” said Haddock. “With all of the experience and knowledge the two of them bring to the table it was a no-brainer to have John race the dragster.” Haddock won last year’s IHRA championship in the Nitro Funny Car class. During John’s driving career, he finished as high as 8th in NHRA Full Throttle points which came in 2003, but made history books being a part of the first husband-wife professional team to qualify and compete against one another, and finish in the NHRA top 10 together. They remain the quickest couple in drag racing history.
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