Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie continued his surge to the top of the points standings in Pro Stock Motorcycle by making the quickest runs in both Friday qualifying sessions t the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He posted a performance of 6.876 at 194.21 on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki to lead the 30 bikes entered in the event. He trailed series leader Andrew Hines by 31 points entering this event.
“My mindset coming here was to take it round by round,” Savoie said. “I don’t want to get too focused on the championship or a points chase. Your mind gets too cluttered. My crew chief [Tim Kulungian] has a good handle on this thing. To come out here to be No. 1 on Friday I feel that God has blessed us.”
Savoie has made up major ground in the points standings since winning at Indianapolis from the No. 6 points position to end the regular season. Since then he has posted two No. 1 qualifying positions and won two weeks ago at Dallas. He trimmed a few more points off Hines’ lead today.
“I have the baddest Pro Stock Motorcycle engine on the planet,” Savoie said. “Tim works really hard. He’s took seven days off in the last year. The guy is a guru and I love him. We just keep plugging away.”
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.876, 194.21; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.929, 192.93; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.930, 193.35; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.936, 192.33; 5. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.955, 192.91; 6. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.972, 191.40; 7. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.974, 192.52; 8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.974, 191.92; 9. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.976, 192.74; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.990, 190.89; 11. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.996, 192.25; 12. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.004, 190.24. Not Qualified: 13. Mike Berry, 7.004, 189.68; 14. Steve Johnson, 7.024, 190.06; 15. Jim Underdahl, 7.037, 192.91; 16. Cory Reed, 7.050, 186.02; 17. Angie Smith, 7.077, 185.15; 18. Freddie Camarena, 7.085, 191.10; 19. Melissa Surber, 7.141, 185.59; 20. Robert Karlsson, 7.151, 189.39; 21. Eddie Reed, 7.155, 185.72; 22. Kalle Lyren, 7.157, 184.93; 23. Katie Sullivan, 7.172, 188.46; 24. Redell Harris, 7.202, 184.30; 25. Rhett Lougheed, 7.238, 184.50; 26. Brian Pretzel, 7.256, 181.89; 27. Lance Bonham, 7.340, 184.19; 28. Luke Crowley, 7.483, 188.10; 29. Joe DeSantis, 9.008, 96.86.