Savoie Dallas final report

Savoie making progress, rising in points

Jerry Savoie

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

DALLAS, Texas – Pro Stock Motorcycle first-year competitor Jerry Savoie piloted the White Alligator Racing Suzuki to a semifinals finish at this weekend's AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals held at the world's first "supertrack," Texas Motorplex, and in doing so took over the No. 8 position in the Full Throttle Series standings. For Savoie, however, the elevation in points is merely another highlight to what has already been an exceptional year.

"It would be awesome to win a championship, but our goal was to be in the top 10, and we're thankful to be there," said Savoie. "Our new goal is to finish in the top 7, and it's great that we moved one step closer to that. It's tough out here, so for now, I'm just excited."

After qualifying in the No. 10 position, Savoie was second to leave the starting line in his opening-act match with Chip Ellis and the No. 7 qualified Buell, but he recovered quickly and clocked the best 60-foot time of the round en route to a victorious 6.941 at 192.25 mph to his opponent's troubled pass.

The win over Ellis was a ticket to the quarterfinals for Savoie, where he squared off against Harley-Davidson campaigner Andrew Hines. Taking no chances, Savoie seized the opportunity to avenge last week's first-round loss to Hines and was first to leave by a nice margin, recording a .002 reaction to Hines' .045 and closing the deal at the top end on a 6.968 to 6.961 holeshot. Once again, Savoie showed superior performance in the first half of the track and laid down the quickest 60-foot time of the round aboard his WAR Suzuki.

"Chip Ellis is a really good racer, and I felt bad because he's a close friend of mine," admitted Savoie. "But somebody has got to win, and somebody has got to lose. Then in the second round – the Harley and Suzuki [rivalry], that's just a little fun – but to go up against Andrew and actually win on a holeshot was really great. I don't want to take anything away from Andrew though, because he's a good guy, first class, and he's a good rider. My hat goes off to him."

Savoie's day came to an end in the semifinals, where he challenged fellow Suzuki rider Michael Phillips. Savoie was again first to leave, .010 to .018, but slowed unexpectedly near half-track and ultimately produced a 7.07 pass as Phillips, the eventual event titlist, crossed the finish line first with a 7.02.

After struggling last week in Charlotte, Savoie was pleased with his team's overall performance.

"This weekend, we felt like we have a handle on the bike," he said. "We didn't know what to expect, but Mark Peiser is a great crew chief, and we're going to the next race with confidence."

Savoie will take on the competition at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., next weekend, where the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals – race three of the final six races in NHRA's Countdown to the Championship playoffs – will be held.