NHRA U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle Coverage

Jack Korpela

5 years ago

The 65th NHRA U.S. Nationals marks the end of the regular season for the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. The reset of the points for the Countdown will be welcomed by all, excluding leader Andrew Hines, who has had the season of his remarkable career, winning seven out of nine race thus far.

Hines’ hot streak continued on Friday night as he took the top spot with a 6.86 at 194 mph on his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson FXDR. It would give Hines, a seven-time winner this year, his third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 45th in his career. Defending world champion Matt Smith is ended up second after his run of 6.874 at 197.02 and Jerry Savoie was a spot back thanks to his pass of 6.898 at 193.85.

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Coverage presented by Platinum Fleet Repair and Cycle Gear.

On Saturday Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Sampey jumped into the No. 1 position with a 6.816 at 195.53 on her Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson FXDR. If it holds, it would be Sampey’s first No. 1 qualifier since 2016 and 50th in her career. The run also helped Sampey’s playoff chances, as the three-time world champion and two-time Indy winner came into the weekend ninth in points. Defending world champion Matt Smith also made a big move on Saturday into second with a 6.820 at 197.25. Points leader Andrew Hines follows in third with his 6.823 at 195.87.

Rain delayed the start of the race on Sunday. It provided time to check in with all the top racers and get some behind-the-scenes Pro Stock Motorcycle pit updates. Please enjoy and share the following video.

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It was reunion of legends as Terry Vance and Byron Hines took in the action.

Terry Vance found great success in Pro Stock Motorcycle but is perhaps best remembered for his time on a Top Fuel Bike.

SUNDAY –

Angelle Sampey earned her first No. 1 qualifier since 2016 and the 50th in her career, as she raced to the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle on Sunday at the 65th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Sampey, a three-time world champion, used her 6.816-second run at 195.53 mph on her Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson FXDR from Saturday to gain the top qualifying position.

A two-time Indy winner, Sampey will face off with Joey Gladstone in the first round of eliminations. Defending world champ Matt Smith will start from second after going 6.820 at 197.25, while points leader Andrew Hines finished third in qualifying with a 6.823 at 195.87.

“I just never imagined that I would get a No. 1 qualifier at this race, this year,” said Sampey, whose two Indy wins came from the No. 1 spot. “It’s been a rough year, and I came here just thinking I was going to do whatever I can. Getting a No. 1 qualifier and getting a confidence boost like this is what I really, really needed right now. I’m feeling much more comfortable going into tomorrow than I did coming into qualifying, and I’m just going to try to keep that momentum going.”

FINAL QUALIFYING

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.816, 195.53 vs. 16. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 7.032, 189.34; 2. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.820, 197.25 vs. 15. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.017, 187.31; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.823, 195.87 vs. 14. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.974, 191.40; 4. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.846, 195.70 vs. 13. Cory Reed, EBR, 6.970, 191.29; 5. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.878, 194.72 vs. 12. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.926, 194.97; 6. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.879, 196.50 vs. 11. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.924, 193.96; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.880, 195.11 vs. 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.914, 192.22; 8. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.885, 193.63 vs. 9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.891, 195.73. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jianna Salinas, 7.134, 189.55; 18. Michael Ray, 7.164, 185.26; 19. Andie Rawlings, 7.497, 173.90.

Sunday

Jerry Savoie claimed his second career win at Indy, going 6.851 at 195.25 in the final round on his Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki to beat points leader Andrew Hines. It is Savoie’s 10th career victory and first this year. The veteran and former world champ beat Ryan Oehler, Joey Gladstone and Eddie Krawiec to reach the final round, earning the victory after Hines went red. It led to an emotional celebration on the top end, as Savoie enjoyed the first win for a Suzuki in 2019.

Hines beat Kelly Clontz, Scotty Pollacheck and defending world champ Matt Smith to earn his eighth final round appearance in 2019 and 94th in his career. He’ll start the Countdown to the Championship as the points leader, while Savoie, who entered the weekend in 10th, jumped all the way to fifth with his winning weekend.

“The Suzukis have been struggling, but we’ve been working and it paid off,” Savoie said. “I held my composure and we were able to make some good runs. When Andrew throws up a red light, you better thank God for it because that doesn’t happen very often. I didn’t know if I would ever win another one. It’s not easy. But we’re going to go for it and see what happens. It’s an honor to get this second one (at Indy).”

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RESULTS:

ROUND ONE — Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.847, 195.36 def. Ryan Oehler, 6.998, 192.66; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.908, 194.44 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.924, 191.67; Scotty Pollacheck, 7.038, 190.51 def. Angie Smith, 8.065, 122.43; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.917, 193.93 def. Hector Arana, 7.102, 194.10; Joey Gladstone, 7.037, 189.02 def. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, Foul – Red Light; Hector Arana Jr, 6.926, 194.30 def. Cory Reed, 7.029, 190.54; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.866, 195.14 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.173, 186.02; Matt Smith, 6.892, 196.59 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.043, 185.59;

QUARTERFINALS — Krawiec, 6.932, 194.63 def. Arana Jr, Foul – Red Light; M. Smith, 6.883, 196.82 def. Stoffer, Foul – Centerline; Hines, 6.872, 195.82 def. Pollacheck, 7.029, 191.92; Savoie, 6.847, 195.08 def. Gladstone, 6.997, 191.46;

SEMIFINALS — Hines, 6.914, 195.14 def. M. Smith, 6.933, 195.93; Savoie, 6.864, 194.91 def. Krawiec, 6.941, 194.55;

FINAL — Savoie, 6.851, 195.25 def. Hines, Foul – Red Light.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Points / Countdown Order

1. Andrew Hines, 1,126; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 882; 3. Matt Smith, 839; 4. Hector Arana Jr, 743; 5. Jerry Savoie, 551; 6. Karen Stoffer, 527; 7. Angie Smith, 474; 8. Angelle Sampey, 462; 9. Ryan Oehler, 458; 10. Hector Arana, 449.

Karen Stoffer is wearing multiple hats this year, still involved with her husband and Greg Underdahl’s Suzuki operation, while riding L.E. Tonglet’s former motorcycle under the Jerry Savoie tent. Stoffer races the Suzuki that won the U.S. Nationals last season.

Chris Bostick returned to competition after a 15 year hiatus aboard his newly acquired “Poison Dart.” It’s the motorcycle Joe DeSantis owned and Joey Gladstone raced for much of last season.

Ryan Oehler and father overcame several mechanical issues to put a solid 6.89 on the board on Saturday.

After breaking his near 30-year consecutive race streak, veteran Steve Johnson and crewman Ervin “Jock” Allen returned in Indy.

Mike Mullaney and wife of team Vance & Hines and Mullaney Cycle Works

Vance & Hines wrench Mike Mullaney confirmed, despite what many have said on the internet, Angelle Sampey’s motorcycle uses the same components as Hines’ and Krawiecs’.

Michael Ray was pumped to get back in the rider’s seat on Matt Smith’s Bagger.

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