| June 21, 2022
Remembering his late father on Father’s Day and winning a race he almost didn’t get to compete in was almost too much for White Alligator Suzuki’s Jerry Savoie to bear. Shortly after claiming the 14th Pro Stock Motorcycle win of his career at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, June 17-19, he was overcome with emotion.
White Alligator Suzuki’s Jerry Savoie emerged the winner at the NHRA round at Bristol Dragway.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
“We blew up the engine in the third round and almost didn’t make it back for the final,” Savoie said. “We had to thrash to change engines and we decided to take the four-valve engine out and go back to our old two-valve. We know that engine well and we know what it can do. I have to thank NHRA and the Vance & Hines team for waiting on us.”
The persistence of Savoie’s crew paid off after their opponent, Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Angelle Sampey red-lighted in the final, giving Savoie the 14th win of his impressive career. After missing the most recent NHRA event with a foot injury, Savoie was grateful to be back.
“I usually don’t let things get to me, and I put my faith in my crew who did a motor swap in 32 minutes. This win is for my dad, Blue, who we lost years ago. His blood runs through my veins, and he gave me the need for speed.
“I’m 63 now, and to be out here racing with all these youngsters and pretty girls is amazing. When I started, I just wanted to win one race and now I’ve got 14 and a championship—I’ve been blessed. This was an awesome weekend, and I don’t think I could ask for anything more. I said I wouldn’t cry but I’ll be damned if I didn’t get down there and cry.”
The Bristol track sits nearly 1500 feet above sea level and it’s got a surface that has historically given fits to NHRA’s two-wheel racers. That was certainly the case this weekend as performances were generally held in check.
Savoie was only seventh-quickest in qualifying, but he managed to earn wins against four-time champ Eddie Krawiec, Joey Gladstone and Angie Smith to reach the final. Smith actually had the best bike on race day with a best of 6.801-seconds, but she slowed to a 6.984 which was just enough to allow Savoie to slip past with a 6.979 elapsed time. That was the break he needed.
Favored to win, Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Angelle Sampey red-lighted in the final.
“I definitely got lucky there,” Savoie said. “She had a really fast bike, but we did what we needed to do in order to get the win. Sometimes, that’s what it takes.”
Early on, Sampey would have to be considered the favorite for several reasons. First, she won the Bristol event last year and she was also the low qualifier with a solid 6.874 run on her Mission Foods Suzuki.
Sampey, made her way to the final with wins against LE Tongelt, Ryan Oehler and Marc Ingwersen. Like Savoie, Sampey also caught a few breaks along the way, particularly in her race against Ingwersen. Sampey trailed from the start, and Ingwersen appeared headed for his first career final round. Then, his V-twin went silent and Sampey was able to ride past for the unlikely victory.
“For sure, I had some luck today, “Sampey said. “That round was especially lucky. I actually feel bad for Marc because he’s been out here a while and he’s starting to make a lot of progress.”
The Bristol event was not kind to championship leaders Steve Johnson and Karen Stoffer. Johnson, coming off two wins early this season, lost in the second round to Angie Smith while Stoffer was never able to get a handle on the Bristol track surface and qualified number 13. She lost to Ingwersen in round one. Reigning champ Matt Smith also lost to Ingwersen in the quarterfinal round.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action next weekend, June 23-26 with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.
FINAL
- Jerry Savoie (Suz)
- Angelle Sampey (Suz)
