2002 POWERade Champion Angelle looks to cap a stellar season
with a Finals win
Event: 38th Annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals
Location: Pomona Raceway, Pomona, CA
Date: November 7 - 10, 2002
Angelle Savoie
Mohegan Sun Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle
2000, 2001 & 2002 Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion
1. With the POWERade Championship in hand, Angelle & the Mohegan Sun
team look to cap a stellar 2002 season with a Finals win
Following their dramatic victory in Las Vegas, Angelle Savoie and the Mohegan
Sun Suzuki Racing team will head into this weekend's Automobile Club of
Southern California NHRA Finals as the 2002 POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle
champions. It is a tremendous accomplishment, which looms even larger when
considering the many trials and tribulations this close-knit crew faced
throughout the year.
However, with one race left on the schedule, any celebrations will have to
wait. As every member of the Americus, GA-based Star Racing team will
acknowledge, there is work left to be done. One year ago, Angelle used a win
in this event to capture her second championship. This year, the Mohegan Sun
rider will be looking to repeat that performance in order to celebrate her
third.
"Winning the last race is always the best way to end the season" explained
Angelle, "because you have three months to enjoy it. Doing it when you've
won the championship just makes it even better, almost as if you're showing
why you're the champion. We were able to do it last year, and this Mohegan
Sun Suzuki team would certainly like to go out the same way again this year."
Although it could certainly be understood if the Mohegan Sun crew viewed this
final event as a ceremonial victory lap, their competitive fires are as
stoked as ever. In addition to Star Racing's perpetual drive to succeed, the
location and timing of this weekend's race provides motivation of its own.
The Los Angeles area is the acknowledged birthplace of the sport, and with
the Pomona Fairplex being the home track for the NHRA, it is a win that every
drag racer wants on his or her resume. As the last race of the season, the
Finals also offer one last opportunity for teams to showcase themselves to
potential sponsors. Finally, any success achieved this weekend will provide
positive momentum heading into the off-season as well as the 2003 campaign.
"The Pomona race is always a big event," said Angelle. "Not only is it in
the NHRA's backyard, but it's also the last race of the year. It's exciting
to see all the championships being settled after months of hard work.
"At the same time, a lot of teams are under pressure to perform. With no
races scheduled until next year, it's your last chance to show a marketing
partner what our sport is like and what your team can do for them on the
track.
"For the second year in a row, the Star Racing team is one of those teams
going to Pomona looking for additional funding in 2003. Mohegan Sun came to
our rescue this year, and helped us to finish the season and clinch the
championship. Their participation was invaluable to our program. They have
already agreed to return as a major associate sponsor, and we're hoping to
convince them to be our primary marketing partner. Either way, we need to
deliver another typical Star Racing performance this weekend."
Following the race, the stars of the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series will
gather on Monday at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood to celebrate the 2002
season and to crown their champions. For the third consecutive year, Angelle
will appear on stage to receive the Pro Stock Motorcycle champion's trophy.
It will be a fitting end to a year that has seen its share of highs and lows,
while ending with yet another Star Racing success.
"Even though it's been a few days, I'm still numb about winning the race and
clinching our third championship in Las Vegas," noted Angelle. "The fact
that I'm the 2002 POWERade champion really won't sink it until I'm up on the
stage at the awards ceremony, and I hear the crowd applauding and see all the
cameras.
"Based on previous years, I know that when it does sink in, it will be a very
special feeling, and I believe this year it may be even a little bit better,
considering everything this Star Racing team had to go through to win it.
But the best part is that, just like winning the last race of the season,
I'll be able to enjoy it throughout the off-season, especially when we go to
the Mohegan Sun resort for the celebration they're planning.
"We'll all be back at the same level by the time we go to Gainesville for the
first race of 2003, and our team will be working hard to defend our title.
But for now, we're all going to savor the feeling, knowing that we
accomplished what we set out to do."
2. In Angelle's Words -
On the significance of her third championship -
"Winning the third championship has put me in some very special company.
First of all, it tied me with Shirley for the most championships by a female,
and I feel that it legitimizes the label they have given me of being the most
successful female in drag racing history. Even though I passed her for the
most wins last year, I wasn't really comfortable with that title until I
matched her three championships. Shirley has done a lot for our sport, and
opened doors for females to follow, and I have tried to do the same
throughout my career. It means a lot to be compared to her.
"It's also important to have tied Matt's (Hines) mark of three consecutive
titles. But of even greater significance to me is that I've won three
championships in a row with Star Racing. With all the success they had before
I got there, they had never won back-to-back titles, so it's very special to
be able to accomplish it with them. I'm proud to have been able to add
something to their history, and help them win their sixth championship."
On trying to win four races in a row -
"I guess it's unusual, but I'm not one of those people who really keeps up
with the numbers. For example, I didn't even realize that I had never won
three races in a row before, until someone told me so in Las Vegas.
"This Star Racing team is different. While some teams would be happy with a
single win, the Star crew isn't satisfied unless they win every time out.
It's not being arrogant, it's just how we approach our racing. I believe
thinking that way pushes us all to be better. Therefore, I want to win every
race just as badly, whether its just one or four or fourteen in a row."
3. Facts on Angelle & Star Racing entering the Automobile Club of Southern
California NHRA Finals -
- This will be Angelle's 8th appearance at Pomona Raceway. In her seven
previous races, she has two wins (both coming in 2001). Angelle has also
captured the No. 1 qualifying position at this track five times.
- Angelle holds Pomona Raceway's elapsed time record at 7.158 seconds,
which she set one year ago. In fact, of the fourteen tracks on which the Pro
Stock Motorcycles will compete in 2002, Angelle and the Star Racing team
currently hold ten e.t. track records.
- Angelle's .782 (219-61) career elimination-round win percentage is the
best among all active drivers in all four professional categories (Pro Stock
Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car, Funny Car, Top Fuel).
- Should Angelle capture the No. 1 qualifying position, it would be her
eighth of the 2002 season, setting a new career-best single-season effort.
Angelle tied her previous best of seven with her No. 1 qualifying effort at
the U.S. Nationals.
- Angelle has a 1.85 qualifying average at Pomona Raceway.
- Angelle will be looking to score four consecutive wins for the first time
in her career. Angelle is coming off wins in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in
Indianapolis, IN, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Reading, PA and the ACDelco
Las Vegas Nationals in Las Vegas, NV.
- Should Angelle win the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA
Finals, it will be her seventh of the season, tying her 2001 record for most
wins in a single season by a female competitor.
- By clinching the NHRA POWERade championship in Las Vegas, Angelle tied
Matt Hines for the most consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle championships (3),
and Shirley Muldowney for the most championships by a female competitor (3).
- The 2002 NHRA POWERade championship marks the sixth Pro Stock Motorcycle
title for the Star Racing team, with Angelle Savoie and the late John Myers
each earning three.
- Angelle recorded the quickest elapsed time in Pro Stock Motorcycle
history at 7.049 seconds on May 18, 2002 in Englishtown, N.J., bettering the
previous record by five hundredths of a second.
- Angelle's 28 national event wins are the most ever by a female driver in
NHRA Drag Racing competition, and are fourth on the all-time Pro Stock
Motorcycle win list. Angelle is also tied for 12th on the all-time NHRA
professional win list with Darrell Alderman.
- Angelle has qualified in the top half of the elimination ladder (eighth
or better) at every one of the 89 races in which she has competed in her Pro
Stock Motorcycle career. In 2002, Angelle has not qualified lower than
second.
- Angelle has not suffered a first-round setback since August 22, 1999 in
Brainerd, MN. That 46-race winning streak is the longest in the history of
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing.
- Angelle has won 25 of her last 59 national event starts, has appeared in
31 final rounds, and owns a 156-34 (.821) elimination round win record during
that span. In that same period, she has also recorded 26 low qualifier
efforts.
- Star Racing Suzuki owner George Bryce made his 107th career final round
appearance as an owner at the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in Las Vegas, NV
two weeks ago. Bryce has accomplished this feat with six different riders:
John Myers (56), Angelle Savoie (43), Jim Bernard (3), Steve Johnson (3),
Fred Collis (1) and Bryce himself (1).
- Angelle's fastest career pass: 192.52 mph, August 4, 2002, Sonoma,
California.
2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle
Points Standings (after 13 of 14 events):
1. Angelle Savoie - 1308*
2. Craig Treble - 1094 (-214)
3. Antron Brown - 950 (-358)
4. Matt Hines - 941 (-367)
5. Shawn Gann - 901 (-407)
6. Geno Scali - 644 (-664)
7. Reggie Showers - 605 (-703)
8. Mike Berry - 540 (-768)
9. John Smith - 505 (-803)
10. Steve Johnson - 472 (-836)
*-clinched championship
2002 K&N Filters Pro Bike Klash Points Standings
(after 3 of 14 events):
1. Matt Hines - 515
2. Angelle Savoie - 505 (-10)
3. Shawn Gann - 450 (-65)
4. Craig Treble - 440 (-75)
5. Antron Brown - 385 (-130)
6. Andrew Hines- 380 (-135)
Reggie Showers - 380 (-135)
8. Geno Scali - 360 (-155)
9. John Smith - 350 (-165)
10. Karen Stoffer - 310 (-205)
Television Coverage:
Qualifying: Saturday, November 9, 10 p.m. - Midnight (ESPN2)
Eliminations: Sunday, October 27, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
In addition, the NHRA2Day weekly magazine show will air from 12:00 noon -
12:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 on ESPN2.
Finally, ESPN2 will air highlights of this year's NHRA awards ceremony on
Sunday, December 1, from 12:00 noon to 1 p.m.
(Note: All times given are Eastern. As these times have been subject to
change, we suggest you please check your local listings.)
# # #
