TJ Smith/S&M Racing Gets First Win of the Season at Santa Maria Speedway

TJ Smith earned his first USAC 360 win of the season at Santa Maria Speedway, then followed that up with another win in the next series race.
TJ Smith earned his first USAC 360 win of the season at Santa Maria Speedway, then followed that up with another win in the next series race.
Santa Maria Speedway is a one-third mile clay surfaced oval, located 12 miles inland from the Pacific coast, three miles north of the city of Santa Maria, California and TJ Smith and his S&M Racing team recently earned their first win of the season there.
Smith competes in the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, driving the Steve La Gras' UHL Rubber number 14 Maxim car.
Smith competes in the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, driving the Steve La Gras' UHL Rubber number 14 Maxim car.


"We run the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, driving Steve La Gras' UHL Rubber number 14 Maxim car," remarked Smith the Fresno, California racer.

"We were qualified seventh quick in time and won the heat race. We seem to have been right on with the set up that night. It was awesome to lead all 30 laps and to score our first win of the season at Santa Maria Speedway's Bud Stanfield Memorial. We've worked hard for this win. The West Coast Series is a very fun and competitive group to run with."

The S&M Racing team consists of Rob Russell, TJ Morgan, Grandpa Dan and Matt Wolters.

"I started racing Quarter-Midgets when I was eight, and then moved to 600 Micros, and now 360's." explained the K&N sponsored driver.

"The season has had its ups and downs. We run a 600 Micro Sprint as well as the USAC 360 Sprint Car. We've had a lot more luck in our Sprint Car though, than in our 600, but we have had a main event win in both classes this season."

Smith, the former Plaza Park track champion, currently sits in second position in the USAC 360 points race. He now has two feature wins, three heat race wins, three fast times, six top-five's, and 12 top-ten finishes. Proving once again that consistency is always the game of the game. *

"We use K&N oil and air filters, along with the filter oil on both cars, as well as the K&N cleaners. The K&N products are working out great for us, we never have a problem with them. As soon as we order, our K&N rep is right on it, and it is shipped quickly to us."

"We hope to finish off our 360 Sprint Car season in the top three or better," says Smith. "We have plans to run more USAC 360 races next year, as well as 410 races. We hope to have our own 410 motor next year to run some USAC/CRA races."

* Smith followed up his win at Santa Maria Speedway the following race by qualifying his 600 Micro first on Friday, winning his heat and finishing second in the main. Then on Saturday in his 360 Sprint car he qualified sixth, and won both the heat and the main.

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