NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Jerry Savoie, rider of the White Alligator Racing Suzuki, clinched his first career NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series championship at the Auto Club NHRA Finals after he advanced to the semifinals while his nearest contenders, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines, were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Savoie never led the points standings until he secured the title. He made his championship intentions known early in the season by racing to runner-up finishes in Atlanta and Englishtown, N.J. The alligator farmer entered the Countdown to the Championship fourth in points but suffered a first round loss in Charlotte, N.C., and fell to sixth. After that upset, Savoie and his team hit their stride and went on to win at St. Louis and Las Vegas and post a runner-up finish in Dallas. He was also the No. 1 qualifier at three consecutive events at the end of the season.