Angelle Sampey continued building experience behind the wheel of her Hangsterfer’s/FVP/Mission Foods A/Fuel dragster this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, competing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster category at Summit Motorsports Park.
Despite battling a handful of tune-up challenges throughout qualifying, Sampey and the AB Accelerate/Michalek Brothers Racing team continued making progress and secured the No. 13 qualifying position for race day.
Friday’s opening qualifying session ended almost as quickly as it began when Sampey’s dragster overpowered the racetrack, sending the tires into smoke immediately after launch. She coasted to a 9.379-second pass at 146.16 mph to open the weekend.
The team made significant improvements during the second qualifying session as Sampey posted a 5.327 at 274.83 mph to climb to the No. 13 position.
In Saturday’s final qualifying attempt, Sampey once again encountered issues off the starting line but drove through tire shake to complete a 5.364-second pass at 274.33 mph, solidifying the No. 13 qualifying position.
Paired against Jamie Noonan in the opening round of eliminations, Sampey gained the advantage at the starting line before mechanical trouble developed near the 330-foot mark. She coasted to an 8.990-second pass at 89.85 mph as Noonan advanced to the second round.
Although the weekend ended earlier than hoped, Sampey and the team remained encouraged by the progress made and immediately shifted their focus toward additional testing.
“We’re still trying to figure this whole thing out,” Sampey said. “My team is going to stay and test tomorrow with Corey’s car, and that information will transfer over to my car. So we’re hoping we learn something. I know we’re on the cusp of getting it figured out and getting my beautiful black-and-green Hangsterfer’s, FVP, Mission Foods A/Fuel dragster where it needs to be.”
Rather than heading home after race weekend, the MBR team elected to remain at Summit Motorsports Park for a scheduled test session to gather additional data.
Sampey and the AB Accelerate/MBR team will return to action at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals, August 20-23, at Brainerd International Raceway.
