Savoie Scores Emotional Win At Bristol
R
emembering his late father
on Father's Day and winning
a race he almost didn't get to
compete in was almost too much
for White Alligator Suzuki's Jerry
Savoie to bear. Shortly after
claiming the 14th Pro Stock Mo-
torcycle win of his career at the
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
at Bristol Dragway, June 17-19, he
was overcome with emotion.
"We blew up the engine
in the third round and almost
didn't make it back for the final,"
Savoie said. "We had to thrash to
change engines and we decided
to take the four-valve engine out
and go back to our old two-valve.
We know that engine well and
we know what it can do. I have
to thank NHRA and the Vance &
Hines team for waiting on us."
The persistence of Savoie's
crew paid off after their oppo-
nent, Vance & Hines Suzuki's An-
gelle Sampey red-lighted in the
final, giving Savoie the 14th win
of his impressive career. After
missing the most recent NHRA
event with a foot injury, Savoie
was grateful to be back.
"I usually don't let things get
to me, and I put my faith in my
crew who did a motor swap in 32
minutes. This win is for my dad,
Blue, who we lost years ago. His
blood runs through my veins, and
he gave me the need for speed.
"I'm 63 now, and to be out here
racing with all these youngsters
and pretty girls is amazing. When
I started, I just wanted to win one
race and now I've got 14 and a
championship—I've been blessed.
This was an awesome weekend,
and I don't think I could ask for
anything more. I said I wouldn't
cry but I'll be damned if I didn't get
down there and cry."
The Bristol track sits nearly 1500
feet above sea level and it's got a
surface that has historically given
fits to NHRA's two-wheel racers.
That was certainly the case this
IN
THE
WIND
P50
White Alligator Suzuki's
Jerry Savoie emerged
the winner at the NHRA
round at Bristol Dragway.
PHOTOS: MATT POLITO
