THE CHAMPIONS ISSUE
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle
Jerry Savoie
For three decades, Jerry Savoie didn’ t sit on a motorcycle, let alone race one of any significance. But to think that fire to compete didn’ t still burn would be sorely underestimating the passion the alligator farmer has for the sport. He made his debut in 2011 in Pro Stock Motorcycle at 52, content just to cross what he thought was his biggest bucket list item at the time – a race victory. A world championship, something he claimed in 2016, was not a consideration.
“ Later in age, I worked really hard, was able financially to put together a team,” Savoie said.“ A friend, Paul Miller, I went and talked to him and asked him if he thought I was any good. He said,‘ Absolutely. It’ s never too late.’
“ I went and called George Bryce, who I went to school with.( He) put his hand on my shoulder, and he said,‘ Brother, if you ride like that on race day, I promise you you’ re going to win one of these races.’ My goal was only to win one. My dream never was ever, ever, even last year, to win a championship.”
As Savoie showed rapid improvement, a chance for a championship suddenly became reality. He got the first victory in 2014, won three more times in 2015 and was in championship contention late in the season, finishing third after stumbling at the finale in Pomona. Savoie put the class on notice and then went and overhauled his bike in the off-season with tuner Tim Kulungian. His bike became even more impressive in 2016, even if it took a while for everything to come into place.
There were dominant runs, but only three finals appearance – and no wins – in the regular season. Entering the Countdown to the Championship in fourth, Savoie won twice and advanced to a final round, with a win in Vegas pulling him to within three points of class stalwarts Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec heading to the finale. When they both fell early in Pomona, a second-round win clinched the championship for Savoie, and this dream just continued to get better and better.
“ It’ s just amazing, man, that this could possibly happen,” Savoie said.“ The fire always burns in you. Once a drag racer, always a drag racer. Even though you don’ t continue racing, the fire continues burning in your body.
“ I’ ll say it over and over, Tim, Jeremy( Deroche), Steve( Zellman), those guys are the best. They family to me. When you click like that, you got a good thing going, man, nothing can stop you. God has blessed me in so many ways. It’ s an amazing thing.”- JOSH HACHAT DI
PHOTOS: NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
NMCA WEST STREET COMP JAN VANDERPOOL // NMCA WEST TOP SPORTSMAN DOUG CRUMLICH // SCDRA ELECTRONICS KATELYN WHYNAUGHT
106 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 117