When Jerry Savoie heads to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for this weekend’s NHRA Toyota Nationals, he won’t feel any of the pressure or high-stakes intensity that come with racing in Vegas with a world title potentially on the line.
When Jerry Savoie heads to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for this weekend’s 18th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, he won’t feel any of the pressure or high-stakes intensity that come with racing in Vegas with a NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world title potentially on the line. Instead, Savoie will have family, friends and customers from Europe with him and comfort level that only comes with running in Vegas for the Louisiana alligator farmer.
Sitting just 100 points back of Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Matt Smith, all indications suggest there should be considerable pressure for Savoie, the 2016 world champion. But Savoie, who has one win this season, insists he feels none of it on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki heading into the final two races of the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. He feels good about racing in Vegas, hopeful the event will again bring out the best in him when it counts.
Terry McMillen (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including final eliminations coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. It marks the fifth of sixth Countdown to the Championship races and the 15th of 16 races during the 2018 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season.
The last three races have been a breath of fresh air for Savoie, who had battled issues on his bike for most of the year. He had back-to-back first-round losses at Indy and then the playoff opener in Reading, but Savoie has made a significant turn at the right time. He’s posted two semifinal appearances and a runner-up the last three events to stay lurking in the championship conversation, and Savoie is excited to see his bike come around at the right time.
Having a good teammate certainly helps and Savoie has that in White Alligator Racing standout LE Tonglet, who sits 41 points back of Smith. The duo has continued to work together well in the playoffs, meeting in the final round in Dallas. But Savoie knows he’ll need to perform at a high level to stay in the title talk, as Smith has posted two wins during the Countdown to the Championship and defending world champ Eddie Krawiec is still in contention, sitting just 56 points back of Smith.