Angelle captures third consecutive U.S. Nationals No.1 qualifying position
Event: 48th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Location: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, Indiana Date: September 1, 2002 The final day of qualifying for the U.S. Nationals turned out to be a productive one for Angelle Savoie and the Star Racing Team. Prior to the start of the on-track activities, team owner George Bryce announced that Uncasville, Connecticut-based casino resort Mohegan Sun would be joining Star Racing for the final three events of the 2002 NHRA POWERade season, welcome news for a team whose on-going sponsorship difficulties were well documented. With warmer temperatures on Sunday precluding any real changes in the Pro Stock Motorcycle line-up, the Star Racing team took advantage of the twin qualifying sessions to fine-tune their set-up for final eliminations. With track temperatures approaching 120 degrees, they proved themselves ready for competition with a 7.228-second pass, marking the third time in five attempts that the Star Racing Suzuki had posted the quickest. Finally the end of the day confirmed what most had conceded the day before, as Angelle's 7.152-second, 185.64 mph pass from Saturday evening earned the defending event champion her third consecutive U.S. Nationals No. 1 qualifying position. "Today was certainly a good day for Star Racing. First, we announced that we had a letter of intent from Mohegan Sun indicating that they would be our primary sponsor for the final three races of the season starting in Reading. I'm looking forward to unveiling our new colors, and having my leathers, helmet and motorcycle match again. Then tonight we were No.1 qualifiers at the U.S. Nationals for the third year in a row. "After running the 7.15 last night, we were pretty sure it would hold, so George decided to try a few things that would help our overall performance, including my reaction times. He took out the motor, which is nicknamed "The Rock", and put in "Jesse" for today's runs. However, we'll switch back to "The Rock" for tomorrow because that is the motor George has been working on lately and is the best on our dyno. Hopefully, with the unusual mechanical failures we've been having lately, a engine called "The Rock" will hold together tomorrow and get us to the winner's circle. "Having Mohegan Sun come on board lifts a tremendous load off our shoulders. It's been tough to keep coming out here with the sponsorship situation, especially when you add in the accusations that have been pointed at us. "However, due to the tremendous support of our associate sponsors, such as Snap-On Tools, Suzuki, and with the invaluable help of friends like Curt Woodward at Retail Fixture and George Howard and his B&M Filters Million Dollar Race, we've found a way to keep racing. The fan support has also been tremendous, keeping us motivated through the hard times. "But now, with the additional support from Mohegan Sun, we can concentrate fully on our racing, and doing whatever we can to win races and the championship, starting with the U.S. Nationals tomorrow." Fast Facts: - This is Angelle's 31st career No. 1 qualifying performance (and seventh of 2002, which ties her career best), and third consecutive at Indianapolis Raceway Park. - This is the 63rd No. 1 for the Star Racing Team. - Angelle will be looking to win from the No. 1 position for the fourteenth time in her career, having last accomplished this feat at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Ill. - Angelle has now qualified in the top half of the elimination ladder (eighth or better) at every one of the 87 races in which she has competed in her Pro Stock Motorcycle career. - Angelle has not suffered a first-round setback since August 22, 1999 at Brainerd, Minn. That span of 43 races represents the longest streak in NHRA POWERade Drag Racing history.