Angelle Sampey and the Michalek Brothers Racing team continued to make progress with their Hangsterfer’s/FVP/Mission Foods A/Fuel dragster, racing to a semifinal finish at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Sampey opened Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series with a 5.836-second pass at 182.55 mph, placing her No. 11 after the first session. The three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion made a significant improvement during the second round, powering to a 5.415 at 270.10 mph.
In the final qualifying session, Sampey delivered her quickest pass of the weekend, clocking a 5.340 at 267.43 mph to secure the No. 10 starting position.
The opening round of eliminations came later Saturday, with Sampey facing Nick Spiegel. Sampey gained the starting-line advantage, but Spiegel quickly moved ahead before his car went silent near half-track. Sampey drove back around him to earn the win with a 5.409 at 269.73 mph.
In round two, Sampey lined up against John Haley. She was first off the starting line and never trailed, recording a 5.346 at 271.19 mph to defeat Haley’s 5.891 at 197.86 mph and advance to the semifinals.
Sampey’s pursuit of her first Brainerd Wally ended against Melanie Johnson when she left the starting line before the Tree activated, handing the automatic win to Johnson.
“Third round against Melanie, I just went,” said Sampey. “I knew I needed a really good reaction time because she usually cuts a really good light, but I left before the Tree. It’s one of those things that’s going to happen every once in a while. Fortunately, it hasn’t happened a whole bunch, and I hope to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Brainerd bites again.
“We are making strides with my Hangsterfer’s/FVP/Mission Foods A/Fuel dragster. We learned a couple of really good lessons this weekend with our clutch setup and the timing, and my team is feeling really confident going into Indy. I know we have what it takes. I just have to keep my head straight and stop worrying about wanting it so badly because I think that played a part today. I wanted this win more than I have wanted one in a really long time. We’re going to Indy cool as a cucumber, take everything we learned this weekend with us, and we’re going to do well,” Sampey said.
Sampey and the Michalek Brothers Racing team will now prepare for the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Sept. 2-7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The post Angelle Sampey Shows Progress with Semifinal Finish at NHRA Brainerd Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
