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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/976068
IN THE WIND P46 NHRA FOUR-WIDE TITLE GOES TO SAVOIE A fter a turbulent week where he parted ways with new teammate Steve Johnson and added former teammate LE Ton- glet for a second-stint, White Al- ligator Suzuki's Jerry Savoie over- came the distractions to win the Pro Stock Motorcycle title at the NGK Spark Plugs Four-Wide Na- tionals at zMax Dragway. NHRA's two-wheel racers only get to race under the four-wide format once a year and the unique format can often be confusing with four lanes of action and both the winner and runner-up from each heat advancing. Savoie was not the least bit distracted while he rode to his ninth-career NHRA win. In the final heat, Savoie rode to a 6.784 to hold off Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson's Andrew Hines, who was the runner-up with a 6.873. Matt Smith and Scotty Pollacheck were also part of the final heat and finished as semifinalists. "We struggled all weekend," Savoie said. "We made one hit on our first engine and then changed it. Tim [Kulungian, crew chief] worked hard all winter to get these things right and we've been struggling. We made the decision to pull it out and put another one in. We worked until about 10:30 on Saturday and said, 'Let's give it all we've got.' We went out there today and I think we showed some real promise. We figured some things out. We ran a 6.76 and a 6.78 in the final and that was impres- sive." Savoie was also quick to admit that adding former world champ Tonglet to his team immedi- ately helped restore the positive atmosphere that allowed them to combine for eight wins in 16 events last season. Savoie and Tonglet raced separately at the season opener in Gainesville, Florida in March, and they both lost early in eliminations. "A guy like LE Tonglet; when you put him on the bike you don't have to judge right or wrong," said Savoie. "I've known Mr. Gary [Tonglet, LE's father] for 45 years and I think we all click really well. We thrive on each other. When I raced against him I knew he was in the other lane and I had to cut a good light. You had Andrew Hines and LE and Angelle Sampey. Angelle is not a slouch. She can cut a light. I went up there and it finally came together. I did my job and we ran some good numbers." Savoie entered eliminations as the number eight qualifier, but quickly established himself as a favorite with a 6.765 run that held up as the quickest pass of the event. He defeated Hines twice in eliminations and also earned wins against Jimmy Underdahl and Lucas Oil EBR's Hector Arana Jr. Kevin McKenna Jerry Savoie came away with the Pro Stock Motorcycle victory in Charlotte.