Here are some more Indy moments captured by Chris Haverly and Jeff Burk.

Rookie NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitor Jerry Savoie overcame obstacles of all kinds over the course of the extended weekend to make it all the way to the final round at the U.S. Nationals. It was Savoie's very first time competing at the historical event, and he made a monstrous statement in his debut as he locked into one of the coveted spots in the Full Throttle Series Countdown to the Championship aboard his White Alligator Racing Suzuki.

"I'm very happy with the outcome," said the Cut Off, La., resident who is now ninth in the series standings. "We struggled. I mean, from the plane ride from New Orleans all the way to the semifinals, we had problem after problem after problem, and it was just a crazy, crazy weekend. But to get out there and do what we did today, wow. I'm very proud of Mark [Peiser, engine builder and crew chief] and the work that he has done. He is very tired – he worked until 4:30 one morning and 1:30 another trying to be ready for this day, but look what we accomplished."

The obstacles to overcome began with a late plane for Savoie on the beginning of his journey and then an overnight drive to pick up his motorhome and make it to the track on Friday. Peiser, meanwhile, was at the shop near Indianapolis awaiting a late and critical delivery of parts that arrived Friday morning.

With everyone and everything finally in place, the team expected that there would be a few kinks as they warmed up to their new Hayabusa Suzuki, but they were hoping, at least, for somewhat smooth sailing in qualifying. Unfortunately, each run seemed to produce a different fluke of a challenge, including obliterating one of their top engines, damaging another, vacuum lines being crossed, and a shift light coming unhooked and smacking into Savoie's helmet.

Savoie got holeshot wins against Karen Stoffer in the first round and Eddie Krawiec in the second. The tables were turned at the starting line in the semifinals, where Jim Underdahl was first to launch but second to the finish line as Savoie turned the clocks with a winning 7.005 at 188.23 mph.

"We went to Gainesville and everybody was totally blown away," Savoie recalled. "I went to Star Racing's school and George Bryce told me, 'Brother, if you do this when you get to Gainesville, you're going to shock the world.' I think they're paying attention. They know who we are now."

Number-one qualifier Andrew Hines is not happy after his Harley broke before staging against Shawn Gann.  (Chris Haverly photos)

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