In the semifinal round he met up with Eddie Krawiec, one of Smith's Harley-Davidson nemeses, and put his best effort forward (.023 reaction time versus .029), only to be beaten at the finish line by Krawiec's 6.929/192.03 to his 6.944/191.10.

He briefly moved up to third place in the Countdown to 1 playoffs standings, only to slip back to fourth when Michael Phillips won the event.

"We've had a great last two races in this Nitro Fish Suzuki," said Smith, who also was a semifinalist at last week's event in Texas. "We just can't seem to get past the semifinals and get over that little hump. We just need to get that lucky break. That's what it takes. One time if we get past it I think we'll be in good shape.”

POINT STANDINGS

Top Fuel

1. Tony Schumacher, 2,369; 2. Larry Dixon, 2,315; 3. Cory McClenathan, 2,276; 4. Antron Brown, 2,249; 5. Morgan Lucas, 2,236; 6. Shawn Langdon, 2,221; 7. Brandon Bernstein, 2,191; 8. Spencer Massey, 2,186; 9. Doug Kalitta, 2,146; 10. Clay Millican, 2,093.

Funny Car

1. Ashley Force Hood, 2,308; 2. Robert Hight, 2,305; 3. Tony Pedregon, 2,282; 4. Jack Beckman, 2,235; 5. Ron Capps, 2,220; 6. Bob Tasca III, 2,206; 7. John Force, 2,184; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 2,181; 9. Mike Neff, 2,130; 10. Del Worsham, 2,116.

Pro Stock

1. Mike Edwards, 2,374; 2. Jason Line, 2,296; 3. Greg Anderson, 2,293; 4. Jeg Coughlin, 2,260; 5. Allen Johnson, 2,234; 6. Greg Stanfield, 2,222; 7. Johnny Gray, 2,199; 8. Ron Krisher, 2,189; 9. Kurt Johnson, 2,145; 10. Rickie Jones, 2,020.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Hector Arana, 2,420; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,392; 3. Michael Phillips, 2,255; 4. Matt Smith, 2,253; 5. Andrew Hines, 2,249; 6. Douglas Horne, 2,210; 7. Karen Stoffer, 2,159; 8. Shawn Gann, 2,157; 9. Craig Treble, 2,136; 10. Matt Guidera, 2,020.