With three events remaining in the Countdown to 1 playoffs for the PSM class, there are 12 rounds of eliminations available to each competitor. That's a total of 240 points, not to mention the new qualifying bonus points for the top three qualifiers in each session, as well as a chance to set a national elapsed-time record, which earns 20 points. Smith is just 148 markers short of first place.

Following his semifinal finish in Texas last Sunday and the resurgence of the performance of the Nitro Fish Suzuki, Smith is well within striking distance of his second world championship to match the one he claimed in 2007.

"I was looking at the TV coverage and the reporters already were counting us out," he said. "They seem to think we don't have a chance at a championship now. Well, they counted me out in 2007, too. They said it was down to Andrew Hines and Chip Ellis then, and I ended up winning it all.

"We'll see if we can do that again.

"The Suzuki is running better now," he said, referring to some of the struggles he and the team have had this year. "We're just working on making it consistent now. We have a fast bike again.

"Memphis has not been one of my better races over the years," added Smith, who was runner-up here in 2004 and No. 1 qualifier in 2006. "We've been to one final round here; otherwise, we were out in either the first or second round.

"We'll try to change that this year. We need to get to the finals, and to try to win a race. But our main goal is to just get to the finals and let's get some round wins and get some points on these leaders."

MATT SMITH QUICK FACTS:
* No 4 in Countdown to 1 playoffs after two of five PSM events
* No. 4 in PSM 2009 "regular season" point standings, following runner-up finish in season-opening Gainesville, Fla., event, semifinal finishes in Houston, Atlanta, Englishtown and Sonoma, and six quarterfinals
* Led the standings through two of the first three events
* Clinched a spot in the 2009 Countdown to 1 playoffs in Brainerd, Minn.
* Qualified No. 3 in 2008 Memphis, lost semis to Eddie Krawiec
* Set national elapsed-time record in Houston 2009 of 6.865 seconds. It has since been eclipsed
* Two No. 1 qualifiers in 2009 (Gainesville and Indianapolis)
* Won 2007 PSM championship, winning four races in nine final rounds
* Was No. 1 seed in 2008 NHRA PSM playoffs, earning 20-point bonus
* No. 3 in 2008 PSM point standings
* Came close to claiming his second straight PSM crown in 2008 after leading the standings for the last six of seven events in the playoffs. A mechanical problem in the final event of the season dropped him to third
* Collected a career-high seven No. 1 qualifiers in 2008
* Debuted in the PSM class in Gainesville, Fla., in 2004
* Is the son of NHRA Pro Stock racer Rickie Smith
* Has 10 career national-event wins in 21 final rounds, and was low qualifier 16 times since joining the class on a limited basis in 2003
* Became a full-time competitor in the class in 2005
* Career round win-loss record is 122-78 in 95 national events
* Career-best elapsed time: 6.865 seconds (Houston 2009)
* Career-best speed: 194.63 mph (Atlanta 2009)
* Lives in King, N.C. - single - engaged to fellow PSM rider Angie McBride
* Born Nov. 11, 1972
* Son Tristan (9/12/96)

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 3 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 4 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

Courtesy of Judy Stropus