Savoie Makes History... Again

Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania has provided Angelle Savoie with two historic moments in her illustrious seven-year NHRA career. The first came in 1996 when the talented Louisiana native scored her first NHRA National event win in only her fourth professional start. The second came during Monday's running of the rain-delayed Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, when Angelle defeated Karen Stoffer in only the second all-female final in the 52-year history of the National Hot Rod Association.

"I'm really proud of Karen and her team for the great job they did all weekend," Savoie said. "It shows the world what you can do if you put your mind to it. To have two girls in the final was absolutely awesome, and I'm glad the Mohegan Sun Suzuki came out the winner."

On Friday, Savoie's Star Racing team debuted the colors of its new primary sponsor, Mohegan Sun, and with representatives of the Uncasville, Connecticut-based gaming resort on hand, qualified in the number-two position.

"I love our new Mohegan Sun colors, and it was great to take them to the winner's circle in our first race together," Savoie said. "We had a couple people come down from Uncasville for qualifying, and seeing their excitement really motivated us. I know we're looking forward to returning the favor and going up to see them."

Persistent rain showers on Sunday delayed final eliminations until Monday morning. Starting with rookie Keith Dennis in the opening round, Savoie mowed her way through her side of the ladder, also defeating Steve Johnson and Antron Brown en route to her historic meeting with Stoffer.

The final round may have added another line in the NHRA history books, but the race was over before it really began. Stoffer left the starting line nine thousandths of a second too early, drawing the red light. Savoie's win gives her a virtual stranglehold on the NHRA/Powerade championship.

"I'm excited any time we win, but today I was little more emotional because of everything that was involved," Savoie said. "First of all, I was excited to race Karen in the final. We went to drag racing school together, and to meet her in the final was awesome. I also knew that if we won, we'd just about clinch the championship, which is even more special this year after everything we've gone through. After I saw Karen's red light, I thought about it all the way down the track. I'm so proud of my Star Racing team. I knew they had given me another winning bike, and I really felt good on my Mohegan Sun Suzuki all weekend."

For the record: Savoie's final round match-up with Stoffer was only the second all-female final in NHRA history, and first in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. The only previous final featuring two women came in Columbus, Ohio, in 1982, where Shirley Muldowney defeated Lucille Lee in the Top Fuel final.