From STAFF REPORTS

CONCORD, S.C – In the first round of eliminations at the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Carolina Nationals, Star Racing’s number-one qualifier, Angelle Sampey, had lane choice over Mark Paquette. Sampey impressed all that were in attendance when she went perfect on the tree at the launch.
Sampey clocked in with a troubled 10.044-second pass at 97.19 mph when her bike broke and was given a bit of good luck when her competition Paquette went -.002-seconds red.
In the second round, Sampey and her PSE/Star Racing team got the bike fixed in time for competition and she showed her championship ways when she ran a 6.896, 194.02 and took out Hector Arana Jr.’s 6.954, 193.74.
For the semifinals, Sampey’s good luck ran out when her bike wouldn’t shift between second and third gear and she coasted to a 10.377, 77.18. Chip Ellis would advance to the finals with a 6.890, 194.16.
“I was lucky to get past the first round,” Sampey said. “I’m appreciative that I made it to the semifinals; I know every round counts. We’ll rebound in St. Louis with our PSE/Star Racing team but right now, I’m just a little disappointed.”
Star Racing’s Reed qualified in the number-12 spot going into raceday at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, participating in his first countdown event.
Reed staged up against his competitor, LE Tonglet, and gave him his best shot at the launch. Reed was lightning quick at the starting line with a .002-second reaction time and clocked in with a 6.997, 192.30 but it wasn’t enough to hold off Tonglet’s stout 6.884, 195.25.
“I had a great light and we just blew the tires off,” Reed said. “Maybe we have a bad tire so we’re gonna try a new tire again next weekend in St. Louis. The loss wasn’t great but I am proud of my driving all weekend. My lights were really good and it just sucks that my Buell wasn’t acting like we wanted it to.”
The next event for the PSE/Star Racing team will be the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park.