Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Savoie ties Muldowney for NHRA win record

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Angelle Savoie may have added her name to the NHRA record book last weekend, but the 30-year-old Pro Stock Motorcycle rider isn't completely satisfied.

Savoie earned her 18th career Pro Stock Motorcycle victory at the Pep Boys 50th Anniversary Nationals at Pomona Raceway and tied three-time Top Fuel champion Shirley Muldowney for the most NHRA national victories by a female.

"This is such an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as Shirley Muldowney," Savoie said after the win. "I don't think I ever could have imagined this in my wildest dreams, but I think I would trade these 18 wins in for the three NHRA Winston championships (Muldowney) won."

With her category-leading third victory of the season, Savoie extended her Winston points lead to 54 over Antron Brown, whom Savoie defeated when Brown fouled at the start of the final.

Last season, Savoie collected her first NHRA championship and joined Muldowney as the only female professional champions in NHRA history. Savoie is one of just six women to win a NHRA national event in the sanctioning body's 50-year history. The others are Muldowney, Lori Johns (four wins), Shelley Anderson (four), Lucille Lee (one) and Cristen Powell (one).

Force defeated Whit Bazemore in the final round and earned his 96th career Funny Car victory to close in on his 100th win and a record 11th championship. Force extended his points lead to 335 points over Del Worsham.

After the win, Force dedicated the victory to NHRA founder Wally Parks, who missed the inaugural event with unspecified health problems.

"Wally Parks created all of this 50 years ago and this was a special race for the NHRA honoring its past," an emotional Force said. "On behalf of all the racers, I want Wally to have this trophy. He made it possible for me to go to a place I never thought I would be. This is his stadium, his night, and I'm just really proud to be a part of it."