PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Angelle Sampey powered her Star Racing Buell to a 6.876-second pass at 194.41 mph to defeat fellow Louisianan Jerry Savoie’s 6.928 at 177.21 on his Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki. She won with an .002 to .027 holeshot.

The win was her first since 2007 in Houston and 42nd of her career. She became the fifth female to win an event this season while the NHRA Summernationals is the sixth event of the year to feature a female victor.

Sampey had to race past the Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team of Andrew Hines (shown) and Eddie Krawiec, who have collectively claimed the first three victories of the season, in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to get to the finals. She defeated Michael Ray in the first round.

“I know this is my 42nd win but it feels like my first ever,” said Sampey, the winningest female in NHRA history. “I don’t feel like I had any wins before today. I’m starting all over again and I had something to prove and it took a while.

“I feel totally responsible to show my daughter what she can do with her life,” Sampey continued as the tears flowed. “Now I can show her that even if you aren’t winning every weekend but if you just keep trying, you’re going to get it. Showing her and being her role model – I don’t have the words for it.”