With an earlier than predicted exit from the Mopar Mile-High Nationals last weekend at Bandimere Speedway, Star Racing’s Angelle Sampey and Cory Reed are amped up about their next race this weekend for the 29th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals. In their eighth race of the season, Sampey sits in the No. 3 spot and Reed is only 23 points out of the top 10 in the No. 12 spot.
Like most racetracks on the Mello Yello tour, this will be the first time Cory Reed will compete at Sonoma Raceway.
“I’ve been to Sonoma a few times but I’ve never raced there until now,” Reed said. “I know Sonoma is really fast and my mom [Top Alcohol winner Annie Whiteley] likes racing there a lot.”
Sitting in the No. 12 in the points and less than 25 points out of being in the top ten with three races left before the Countdown begins, Reed knows qualifying high on the ladder and going rounds is important.
“I think we’re gonna be really fast in Sonoma,” he said. “Denver is usually where teams struggle with their tune-ups and if we weren’t outrunning the Harley team, we were running right with them so I think we will be really fast in Sonoma this weekend.”
CORY REED, STAR RACING/PSE BUELL
Last event, Denver: Qualified No. 9, lost second round to Andrew Hines
Last year, Sonoma: Did not attend
With two finals and four semifinal finishes to her credit this season, Sampey wants to put the Mopar Mile-High Nationals in her rear-view mirror and attack Sonoma Raceway in championship form.
“I’m really looking forward to Sonoma because we didn’t have the best weekend in Denver so I’m anxious to get another chance,” Sampey said. “I’m also excited about going because I’m bringing my mom and Ava with me and anytime I have my family with me at the races, I have even more fun than I already do. There’s no better feeling than having my baby girl by my side at the races.”
Sampey won this event in 2004 and went wire-to-wire when she qualified No. 1 the same year.
Qualifying at the 29th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals begins on Friday with two qualifying sessions at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. Two more qualifying runs will be on Saturday at 1:10 and 4:15 p.m. Eliminations begin on 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 31st.
ANGELLE SAMPEY, STAR RACIG/PSE BUELL
Last event, Denver: Qualified No. 3, lost in the second round to Jerry Savoie
Las year, Sonoma: Did not attend
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINT STANDINGS
1. Eddie Krawiec 742
2. Andrew Hines 633
3. ANGELLE SAMPEY 534
4. Jerry Savoie 500
5. Chip Ellis 386
6. Hector Arana 375
7. LE Tonglet 364
8. Matt Smith 290
9. Steve Johnson 268
10. 10. Michael Ray 262
11. Karen Stoffer 243
12. CORY REED 239
TOYOTA NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS TV SCHEDULE:
Friday, July 29, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, July 30, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 31, FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).
TOYOTA NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS RACE SCHEDULE:
Friday, July 29, two qualifying sessions at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 30, two qualifying sessions at 1:10 and 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 31, eliminations at 11 a.m.