LAS VEGAS – Jerry Savoie’s banner season in Pro Stock Motorcycle continued at the most recent event in Dallas, where the alligator farmer picked up his third win of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
It made him a bonafide championship contender on his Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki, putting him just 31 points behind reigning world champion Andrew Hines heading into this weekend’s 15th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
As the magnitude of the moment grows with the penultimate event of the 2015 season approaching, Savoie’s laid-back mindset becomes even more evident as he continues to push any pressure aside to simply enjoy the race to the championship.
“I do care about the championship,” said Savoie, who has four career wins. “If we go out there and do our job, we have a chance to win. If other people do their job better than us, they’re going to win. Am I worried about it? No, not really. People put themselves under so much excruciating pressure during times like this and that’s not me. Whatever happens, happens.
“Here’s the main deal. In February, I’m going to be 57. To come out and do this is amazing and I am so thankful to be in the position I’m in. Whatever happens from here on out is icing on the cake. I don’t have any pressure to come out and win. I’m blessed, the team works really hard and we’re just having fun. If you can have fun, that’s what it is all about.”
Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Del Worsham (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The 15th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals also marks the fifth of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and Savoie has enjoyed nearly every moment of the first four races of the NHRA’s playoffs.
After winning the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals for the first time heading into the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Savoie was the No. 2 qualifier in Charlotte and the top qualifier in St. Louis. He added his second No. 1 qualifier of the season in Dallas, capping off a thrilling weekend by running a 6.744-second performance in the final to hold off Eddie Krawiec, who sits 21 points back of his teammate Hines in second. It was the latest moment to bring a smile to Savoie’s face during his impressive 2015 campaign, but he is just as competitive as ever, even as he continues to enjoy the ride.
“I don’t want to lose at anything,” said Savoie, who also posted a win in Englishtown this season. “We’re not slowing down (heading to Vegas). We’re going to try something new this weekend. When you get this bike in a certain window, this thing is going to respond and it has. It’s been really rewarding. We’re trying things we’ve wanted to try for years and it’s really great and exciting to see it come together. I think I might be more excited for the team that they get to experience all this.”
What they are experiencing is a chance to compete in the thick of the championship hunt. But until it was pointed out to him, Savoie admitted he did not realize how close he is to Hines with two events remaining. Now knowing what the gap is, don’t expect Savoie to change an approach that has worked so well for him thus far.
“All I know is someone told me I was 31 points behind,” Savoie said. “I didn’t even know how many points I was behind before Dallas. I’m not focused on that at all. I can’t change the outcome by looking at that and worrying about it. That’s the way I’m approaching it. (The championship) will come if it’s meant to be, but this class is the best of the best.”
It’s a deep group in Pro Stock Motorcycle and 30 riders will make up the field this weekend at the NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas. The Countdown field is stocked with standouts, including Hines and Krawiec, as well as Hector Arana Jr., who won in St. Louis and sits 81 points behind Hines, Matt Smith, Hector Arana, two-time season winner Karen Stoffer, Jim Underdahl, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.
Savoie, aware of the fierce competition, is geared up to battle as he searches for his first career win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“We’ve done really well in Vegas in previous years and I think we will have something good for this race,” Savoie said. “I’m really excited for this one. I’ve been to a few finals there but I haven’t gotten that victory yet. I’m going to just be focused round-by-round and see if we can put together a win.”
In Top Fuel, Antron Brown has won three of the four races in the Countdown and currently holds a 132-point lead over reigning world champion Tony Schumacher. Other stars in the class include Richie Crampton, who won in Dallas for his fifth victory in 2015, Brittany Force, three-time world champion Larry Dixon, Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon and Dave Connolly.
In the search for his first Funny Car world championship, Worsham picked up his third Countdown win at the most recent event in Dallas, pushing his lead to 38 points over Jack Beckman. Other Funny Car stalwarts include Tommy Johnson Jr., who sits in third and 147 points out of first, reigning world champion Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, who has a category best five wins at Vegas, 16-time world champion John Force, teammate Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Robert Hight and Tim Wilkerson.
Enders will look to get a step closer to a second straight world title in Las Vegas in Pro Stock, thanks in part to winning her second race of the Countdown in Dallas, but will have to deal with the likes of four-time world champion and seven-time Vegas winner Greg Anderson, who sits 154 points back in second. Enders will look to clinch a world title in Vegas, but also must contend with Chris McGaha, Allen Johnson, rookie Drew Skillman, who picked up his first career Pro Stock win in St. Louis, Larry Morgan, Vincent Nobile, Jason Line, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray.
Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Series also will race hard in their quest to become winners of the thrilling event during the weekend.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 30, with sessions at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at 12:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 15th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, the 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fifth of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of Las Vegas off I-15.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 2,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Oct. 29 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, Oct. 30 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 11:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 31 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 11:45 a.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 3:15 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m.
SUNDAY, Nov. 1 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10:15 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 2:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 3 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8 p.m. (ET).
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Greg Anderson, PS, 4; Ron Capps, FC, 4; Andrew Hines, PSM, 4; Tony Schumacher, TF, 4; John Force, FC, 3.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.732 sec. by J.R. Todd, Nov. ’14 and 330.88 mph by Spencer Massey, Nov. ’14.
Funny Car – 3.983 sec. by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’14 and 325.37 mph by Courtney Force, March ’14.
Pro Stock – 6.576 sec. and 209.88 mph by Erica Enders, Nov. ’14.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.856 sec. by Andrew Hines, Nov. ’14; 196.56 mph by Eddie Krawiec, Oct. ’11
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.
Funny Car – 3.897 sec. by Jack Beckman, Oct. ‘15, Reading, Pa.; 330.47 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.
TICKETS: For tickets call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (702) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 30th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, the 22nd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel
1. Antron Brown, 2,505; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,373; 3. Richie Crampton, 2,302; 4. Brittany Force, 2,298; 5. Larry Dixon, 2,268; 6. Steve Torrence, 2,254; 7. Shawn Langdon, 2,236; 8. Dave Connolly, 2,219; 9. J.R. Todd, 2,213; 10. Doug Kalitta, 2,205.
Funny Car
1. Del Worsham, 2,488; 2. Jack Beckman, 2,450; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,341; 4. Ron Capps, 2,330; 5. Matt Hagan, 2,329; 6. John Force, 2,264; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,206; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 2,201; 9. Robert Hight, 2,196; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 2,195.
Pro Stock
1. Erica Enders, 2,501; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,347; 3. Chris McGaha, 2,335; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,299; 5. Drew Skillman, 2,298; 6. Larry Morgan, 2,292; 7. Jason Line, 2,240; 8. (tie) Jonathan Gray, 2,220; Vincent Nobile, 2,220; 10. Shane Gray, 2,183.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Andrew Hines, 2,412; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,391; 3. Jerry Savoie, 2,381; 4. Hector Arana Jr, 2,331; 5. Chip Ellis, 2,305; 6. Matt Smith, 2,297; 7. Karen Stoffer, 2,280; 8. Hector Arana, 2,219; 9. Jim Underdahl, 2,158; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,107.
