Cory Reed and Angelle Sampey Attaining Confidence on Victory Magnums as NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Approaches
Jack Korpela
Team Liberty Racing teammates Cory Reed and Angelle Sampey are headed to zMAX Dragway this weekend for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. The second of 16 events for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, the duo made their team debut at the Gatornationals five weeks ago and has since been testing to get acquainted with their brand-new Victory Magnum motorcycles.
“As a whole, I think our team is getting more comfortable every day,” team owner and rider Cory Reed said. “If anything, we’re mentally prepared and we’ve got a better hold on things. We went testing last week at South Georgia Motorsports Park and I feel a lot more comfortable. In Gainesville, I was definitely struggling with where to tuck myself to avoid the wind on the bike but I think I’ve figured it out. That’s a big factor for me because I’m so much bigger than Angelle.”
Angelle Sampey and Cory Reed
“I don’t think we’re 100% ready to set the world on fire yet but we’ll get there,” three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion Angelle Sampey said. “We still need more engine development but we’re way better than where we were. When we got to Gainesville in March, I was really distressed and uncomfortable on my bike but we tested last week and I’m finally feeling more comfortable.”
The NHRA Four-Wide format still takes the top 16 qualifiers for raceday but instead of four rounds, there are three rounds of ‘heat’-style competition. The top two of each heat in every round advance to the next round. To most, this format can allow for mistakes and confusion on raceday but for Team Liberty Racing, they focus out the potential adversity.
“I actually like the Four-Wide a lot,” Reed added. “The race throws a lot of people off and it gives Angelle and I a good chance to capitalize on other people’s mistakes. Angelle and I are really good at not worrying about anything other than our own runs. That should only benefit us this weekend.” Above all the commotion and excitement that comes with the NHRA Four-Wide, there’s the possibility of Sampey hitting a career milestone: 400 career round wins.
Angelle Sampey Ready for More Wins
“400 is a big number,” Sampey laughed. “Winning 400 rounds kind of makes me feel old because that means you have to have been in the sport a long time to do that. 400 round wins is awesome but like I’ve said before, it’s never enough. Even though its 400 round wins, it’s not nearly enough.”
Qualifying at the eight annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals begins on Friday, April 28th, with two sessions at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. (ET). Two more sessions of qualifying will be on Saturday, April 29th, at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations begin on Sunday, April 30th, at 11:00 a.m.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINT STANDINGS
1. Eddie Krawiec 120
2. Andrew Hines 97
3. Joey Gladstone 81
4. Steve Johnson 74
5. Jerry Savoie 63
6. LE Tonglet 58
7. Matt Smith 52
8. Scotty Pollacheck 52
9. Hector Arana 36
10. Hector Arana Jr. 35
11. CORY REED 32
16. ANGELLE SAMPEY 31
Eight annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Race Schedule:
Friday, April 28 – two qualifying sessions at 4:00 and 6:30
Saturday, April 29 – two qualifying sessions at 1:30 and 4:00
Sunday, April 30 – pre-race ceremonies at 10:30, eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m.
Eight annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Television Schedule:
Friday, April 28, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, April 29, FS1 will televise three hours of qualifying highlights at 12 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 30, FS1 will televise three hours of elimination highlights at 5:30 p.m. (ET)
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