As reported this morning by NHRA.com, three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion and auto racing’s winningest female, Angelle Sampey, has joined forces with the Vance & Hines Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson team for the first four races of the 2019 NHRA Mello Mello Drag Racing Series campaign.
Beginning with the traditional two-wheeled season opener in Gainesville, Florida, Sampey will ride a Harley-Davidson Street Rod as a showcase rider alongside Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec; Sampey will also contest the four-wide events in Las Vegas and Charlotte as well as the Southern Nationals at Atlanta.
“This is a dream come true. I can’t tell you enough how proud I am to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Sampey. “It’s surreal to be getting ready to race one of these Harleys after lining up against them for so many years. But I’m so motivated to get out there and see what I can do on the same bike as Eddie and Drew.”
“I’m truly thrilled for Angelle to have this opportunity to run with us on the Harley-Davidson Street Rod,” declared Vance & Hines founder, Terry Vance. “No question, Angelle has been one of the toughest riders we’ve battled with for so many seasons out on the track. I have so much respect for her and what she has accomplished in this class, and I’m really looking forward to seeing her give the boys a run for their money on the Harley.”
The 42-time national event winner, who began her career aboard a Star Racing motorcycle under the tutelage of George Bryce, parted ways with Liberty Racing on December 4 following a two-season stint with team leader Cory Reed and the Whiteley family. Sampey semi-retired from the sport in 2008 and returned to form the Liberty team with Reed, racing to a 13th place finish in the standings in 2017 before making the Countdown to the Championship cutoff in 2018 and closing the season seventh in points.