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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128211
NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series Round 2: Houston Raceway Park Hines for third place on NHRA's alltime Pro Stock Bike victory list, behind late former champions Dave Schultz (45 wins) and John Myers (33). "When I first joined this team, I thought we'd do okay, but I certainly didn't expect to win the first two races," Savoie said. "I know it may not look like it, but honestly we're still struggling. We need more time and more resources. Our new engine program isn't up to speed yet, but obviously we're getting by. When I won in Gainesville, a lot of people thought it was a fluke. I hope this race proves that it wasn't, but at the same time, I'm smart enough to know that it's only the second race, and we've got to work hard to keep it going." Savoie had the quickest bike on race day, but in qualifying, she was just the eighth quickest in the] 6-bike field, with a 7.] 76, tying the worst qualifying spot of her career. Gainesville runner-up Geno Scali was the top qualifier, with a 7. ]38, just ahead of Shawn Gann's 7.]39 and (Left) Team 23's Angelle Savoie maintained her pe':'ect 8-0 record in eliminations In 2003 with a 7.13 to 7.14 win over Craig Treble's Matco Tools Suzuki in the Houston final. Savoie qualified eighth but had the quickest bike in the field during eliminations. STORY AND PHOTOS KEVIN McKENNA By HOUSTON, TX, APR. 10-13 ith two straight wins to open the 2003 season, Angelle Savoie looks very much like the same rider who has won the last three NHRA Pro Stock Bike championships. Savoie's surprising off-season move from George Bryce's Star Racing team to the talented but underfunded Team 23 outfit was supposed to mark the beginning of the end of her star-studded career. However, in the wake of her most recent win at the O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, it's becoming more and more obvious that Savoie will once again contend for the Powerade championship in 2003. Savoie ran her record to a perfect 8o in elimination rounds, with a close 7.13 to 7.14 win over Matco Tools rider Craig Treble in the final round at Houston Raceway Park. She has now won 30 NHRA titles, tying her with Matt W 34 APRIL 30. 2003' eye I e n e .. 50 Treble's 7.] 43. Mike Berry was the ]6th qualifier, with a 7.267, making the Houston field the quickest in NHRA history, and with just thirteenhundredths separating the first and last qualifiers, literally anyone had a chance to win on Sunday. "When you quaIify eighth, there is a good chance that you're going to race three or four hitters in eliminations," Savoie said. "Knowing it was going to be that tough, I didn't get much sleep on Saturday. I knew that I was going to need some luck." Savoie didn't need much luck, as her crew chief, Mark Peiser, had the perfect tune-up for Sunday's hot and humid conditions. While other riders slow as much as five-hundredths of a second from their best qualifying runs, Savoie actually got quicker. She had the best run of the opening round, with a 7.] 4 win over K&N Filters' Steve Johnson and took out low qualifier Scali in round two with a 7. ] 7. In the semifinals, Savoie almost fell victim to a big starting line holeshot by Karen Stoffer but rallied to win with the quickest run of the event, a 7.] 32, giving her lane choice for the final round. "That 7.13 was really a great run," Savoie said. "I actually hit the rev-limiter and missed a shift, so it could have been even quicker. Winning the first two races of the year is great, but I know it's only a start. After the final, Treble came over and told me not to get too excited. He reminded me that he won the first two races last year and still didn't win the championship, so I'm not going to get too overconfident." After struggling through most of qualifying and. breaking his best engine early in the weekend, Treble considered himself lucky just to make it to the final round. Like Savoie, he