NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Jerry Savoie continued his love affair with Texas Motorplex, scoring the Pro Stock Motorcycle title at the AAA Texas FallNationals for the third time in the last six years, defeating first-time finalist Joey Gladstone for the title, 6.91 to 7.00. The final round was Savoie’s sixth straight at the event with three runner-ups sandwiched between wins in 2015 and 2019.

“There’s just something about Texas,” Savoie said. “To come here and be in the finals six times and win three, it’s just awesome and a great deal. We’ve really been struggling and (crew chief) Tim (Kulungian) has been working really hard at the shop. We didn’t have the fastest bike today, but luck was on our side and we just out-raced them.”

Savoie, riding his White Alligator Suzuki, continued his resurgence this season. After three straight first-round losses to start the season, Savoie has clawed his way back to the top of the pack.

Savoie qualified No. 3 and sat down Mark Ingwersen, Cory Reed, and, in the semifinals, former world champ Eddie Krawiec on a 6.92 to 6.94 decision. Krawiec, one of the class’ top riders, remains winless since the 2018 Brainerd event.

Gladstone raced his way to his first career final round on the heels of some good luck and fortunate placement on the ladder, After Hector Arana Jr. red-lighted to him in round one, Gladstone should have been facing the points leader and 200-mph monster in Matt Smith, but Smith’s Denso EBR had refused to fire for his first-round race with No. 16 qualifier Michael Phillips, so Gladstone got the opportunity to face the field’s slowest bike and took full advantage to advance to the semifinals. In the semi’s against three-time world champ Angelle Sampey, both drivers red-lighted but Sampey moved first with a -.039 reaction time to his less-egregious -.006 foul to send Gladstone to the final round.