57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
November 11-13, 2022
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Angie Smith collected her third career NHRA race win when she defeated Joey Gladstone with her 6.749-second pass at 199.55 mph at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.
Angie Smith helped the team finish the season with a victory for the third straight year, knocking off Joey Gladstone with a 6.749 at 199.55 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell. Smith, who picked up her first win of the season, has now won the finale twice in the past three years, making it an all-Smith winner’s circle for the race and championship. She set the track speed record earlier in the weekend and then put together a string of quality runs on Sunday, finishing a career-best third in points.
“I just needed to go out there and qualify well and just turn on win lights,” A. Smith said. “I think my goal in qualifying was just to make straight runs and every run we were going faster and faster, so I knew I had a good bike going into race day. Everybody that we race are very tough competitors. I did my job and I won it on a holeshot (in the final round). I think I’d rather win on a holeshot over anything. It’s nice to outrun people but winning on a holeshot is pretty epic.”
Gladstone advanced to his sixth final round of the season, finishing second in points.
The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins March 9-12 with the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway.
ROUND ONE
W – Steve Johnson, Suzuki, .139, 6.855, 196.27
L – Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, .139, 7.309, 192.96
Steve Johnson is 4 – 1 against Kelly Clontz in Rd. 1. He has 11 national event wins with 2 wins in 2022. The last win: Charlotte-1, 2022. This is his 477th race overall. Kelly Clontz is making her 50th star. This is her 68th race overall and her 12th race this year. Johnson is 6 – 1 against Clontz in prior events. Johnson is way late off line line, but Clontz spins the slick off the line to give him the decisive win.
W – Marc Ingwersen, .013, 6.849, 195.08
L – Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, .029, 6.898, 193.52
Marc Ingwersen is 5 – 8 in Rd. 1 this year. This is his 33rd race overall and his 14th race this year. Gaige Herrera ran career best E/T & MPH in qualifying. This is his 6th race overall and his 6th race this year. This is his first race at this event. This is the first time Herrera and Ingwersen have faced each other in eliminations. Marc Ingwersen gets away first by a bunch and pull steadily ahead for the win.
W – Angie Smith, .033, 6.752, 202.09
L – Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, .001, 6.994, 194.41
Angie Smith has been in the top half of the field at every race this year. She has 2 national event wins with her last win: Las Vegas, 2020. This is her 211th race overall. Freddie Camarena is making his 62nd start. This is his 129th race overall and his 2nd race this year. This is the first time Camarena and Smith have faced each other in eliminations. A stellar 0.001 light for Camarena, but Smith has the power to ride on by and take an easy win.
W – Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, .005, 6.828, 196.42
L – Ryan Oehler, .005, 6.862, 197.83
In her career Karen Stoffer is 130 – 128 in Rd. 1. She has 11 national event wins with one win in 2022. Last win: Gainesville, 2022. This is her 276th race overall. Ryan Oehler is 1 – 3 against Stoffer in Rd. 1 races. He has 2 national event wins. His last win: Las Vegas 4-Wide, 2021. This is his 74th ace overall. Stoffer is 3 – 2 against Oehler in prior events. They both leave with great five lights and Stoffer slowly pulls ahead for the close 10 foot win.
W – Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, .037, 6.765, 198.29
L – Hector Arana Jr, Buell, .026, 6.971, 197.86
Joey Gladstone has qualified in the top half of the field at 11 consecutive races. He has 3 National event wins with 3 wins in 2022. His last Win, Reading, 2022. This is his 76th race overall. Hector Arana Jr. will try to be just the 2nd PSM rider to win a race when starting #14 (M. Phillips, Dallas, 2011 was the other). He has 17 National event wins with 2 win in 2022. Last win: Las Vegas-2, 2022. This is his 163rd race overall and his 7th race this year. Arana Jr. with the starting line advantage, but Gladstone chases him down for the win. He will have lane choice over Stoffer in round two.
W – Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.792, 198.09
L – Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.956, 189.10
Jerry Savoie is 102 – 51 (67%) in Rd. 1. He was the 2016 World Champion with 14 national event wins. He has 1 win in 2022. Last win: Bristol, 2022. This is his 159th race overall. Chris Bostick’s first race was in Memphis in 1999. This is his 49th race overall and his 11th race this year. Bostick gets a big starting line advantage, but Savoie quickly rides on by for the win He will face Angie smith in round two and she will have lane choice.
W – Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, .079, 6.829, 192.17
L – Katie Justice, Suzuki, Broke – No Show
Overall Angelle Sampey is 50 – 8 in Rd. 1 when #1 qualifier but she is just 3 – 2 this year. She is a 3 time NHRA World Champion with 46 national event wins. 1 win in 2022. Last win: Norwalk, 2022. This is her 292nd race overall. This is Justice’s 63rd race overall and her 3rd race this year. The #16 PSM qualifier has only won twice in Rd. 1 at this event. the last time was 2006. Justice is a no-show to give Sampey the freebie. She will have lane choice over Johnson next round.
W – Matt Smith, Buell, .051, .074, 6.770, 200.92
L – Michael Phillips, Buell, 7.037, 187.68
Overall Angelle Sampey is 50 – 8 in Rd. 1 when #1 qualifier but she is just 3 – 2 this year. She is a 3 time NHRA World Champion with 46 national event wins. 1 win in 2022. Last win: Norwalk, 2022. This is her 292nd race overall. This is Justice’s 63rd race overall and her 3rd race this year. The #16 PSM qualifier has only won twice in Rd. 1 at this event. the last time was 2006. Phillips with the starting line advantage, but Smith had the lead by the time they went by the Christmas tree and never trailed from there on for the win. Smith wins his sixth Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship with the win. He will face Ingwersen in round two.
QUARTERFINALS
W – Steve Johnson, .097, 7.126, 152.80
L – Angelle Sampey, Foul – Red Light -.051, 6.732, 202.18
Sampey is 25 – 11 against Johnson in prior events. Sampey goes red by -0.051 and give the easy win to Johnson. His takes it easy and is slow going down the track.
W – Angie Smith, .046, 6.754, 202.24
L – Jerry Savoie, .113, 6.792, 199.08
Savoie is 13 – 2 against Smith in prior events. Savoie is late and gives the easy win to Smith.
W – Joey Gladstone, .037, 6.746, 199.55
L – Karen Stoffer, .004, 6.882, 193.49
Stoffer is 6 – 5 against Gladstone in prior events. Great four light for Stoffer, but Gladstone is quickly back in front and pulling steadily ahead for the win.
W – Matt Smith, .116, 6.915, 171.90
L – Marc Ingwersen, Foul – Red Light -.216, 6.923, 194.88
Smith is 2 – 1 against Ingwersen in prior events. Big Red light for Ingwersen and smith slows down track. He will have lane choice over Gladstone later.
SEMIFINALS
W – Angie Smith, .020, 6.794, 200.26
L – Steve Johnson, Broke
Smith is 13 – 11 against Johnson in prior events. Johnson’s bike engine goes silent after the burnout and the crew can’t get it restarted. Smith makes another strong pass to go to the final round. This will be her third final of the year and her fifth career.
W – Joey Gladstone, .025, 6.757, 199.40
L – Matt Smith, .039, 6.757, 202.03
Smith is 7 – 2 against Gladstone in prior events. Two strong lights and the run identical ET’s in the lights. They run right together and Joey Gladstone scores the close win. He goes to his fifth final of the year and his eighth career. MOV: 0.0148 seconds (approximately 4 feet).
FINAL
W – Angie Smith, .017, 6.749, 199.55
RU – Joey Gladstone, .029, 6.739, 199.67
Gladstone is 7 – 4 against Smith in prior events and Gladstone is 1 – 0 against Smith in prior final rounds. Smith nails the tree with a stellar seventeen light, but Gladstone is quickly back out in front. She starts a steady pull right on down the track and they are dead even at the 660 foot lights. She is able to just stay there for a super close seven foot hole shot win. This is her first win of the year and her third careen win.
Matt Smith earned his third straight world title in Pro Stock Motorcycle and sixth overall with a victory in the first round on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It’s also the fourth in five years for Smith, who has forged an incredible dynasty in the loaded category in recent years. The sixth championship also meant a great deal for Smith, who picked up four wins in 2022, as it ties him with Andrew Hines and Dave Schultz for the most in class history. It was the goal all season and Smith was proud to make it a reality on Sunday.
“This Denso bike has been awesome this year,” Smith said. “Angie’s had a great bike. We took my motor out from the last two races and put it in her bike because we had a shout of being one and two in points and I think we just missed it but hats off to her. She’s had a heck of a season going to three finals this year and winning the last race and then I won four races and won the championship. To be the one Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who has won every Camping World Drag Racing Series championship so far is pretty amazing.”
Final Points Standings
1. Matt Smith, 2,610
2. Joey Gladstone, 2,528
3. Angie Smith, 2,519
4. Jerry Savoie, 2,432
5. Steve Johnson, 2,407
6. Angelle Sampey, 2,353
7. Eddie Krawiec, 2,306
8. Marc Ingwersen, 2,284
9. Karen Stoffer, 2,253
10. Ryan Oehler, 2,229
Qualifying Saturday
Angelle Sampey secured her sixth No. 1 of the season in Pro Stock Motorcycle thanks to her track-record run of 6.703 at 201.61 from Friday on her Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It gives Sampey her 59th career No. 1 qualifier and the opportunity to finish off her year with a victory. She’s aiming for her second victory of the season, opening eliminations against Katie Justice. Sampey can end the season in the top five with a big performance on Sunday, which would give the three-time world champ plenty of off-season momentum.
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow and we’re feeling confident heading into raceday,” Sampey said. “Everyone out here would like to win the final race of the season, so that’s going to be our focus. Tomorrow, our mission is going out here to win the race and end the season on a great note.”
Points leader Matt Smith stayed second with his 6.719 at 202.70, putting him in a great position to clinch his sixth world championship. Smith can earn his second straight world title with a first-round win over Michael Phillips on Sunday. Joey Gladstone took the third spot after a 6.720. Multi-time world champ Eddie Krawiec failed to qualify for the first time in 15 years after struggling during the four sessions.
1. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.61
2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.719, 202.70
3. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.720, 267.75
4. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.734, 201.34
5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.761, 198.29
6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.792, 197.31
7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.812, 194.69
8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.840, 192.93
9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.860, 195.00
10. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.871, 193.85
11. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.872, 195.45
12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.909, 192.22
13. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.924, 196.47
14. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.937, 200.23
15. Michael Phillips, Buell, 7.097, 191.73
16. Katie Justice, Suzuki, 7.107, 190.51
Did Not Qualify:
17. Eddie Krawiec, 7.214, 198.88
18. Jianna Evaristo, 9.398, 93.99
Qualifying Friday
Looking to end her season on a bright note, Angelle Sampey enjoyed a spectacular Friday in Pro Stock Motorcycle, shattering the track record with a standout run of 6.703 at 201.61 on her Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It puts Sampey on track to close out the 2022 season with her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 59th in her career. More importantly, Sampey would love a second victory to close out the season. Things haven’t gone her way in the Countdown to the Championship, but all that can be erased with a winning weekend at the legendary facility.
“I was very excited to see that run because this weekend I’m on a mission to change things,” Sampey said. “My team has given me a Suzuki to win the race. I’ve had the best bike at almost every race this year but haven’t delivered like I should have. This team deserves a championship, and I didn’t deliver. My goal is to win this race and then be able to have a relaxing off-season knowing that we turned things around. I want to erase the past and gain some momentum.”
Points leader Matt Smith moved to second after going 6.719 at 202.70, setting the track speed record. He made two strong runs on Friday as he gets closer to a sixth world championship. His wife, Angie, is currently third after a 6.744 at 201.97.
1. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.61;
2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.719, 202.70;
3. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.744, 201.97;
4. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.797, 198.26;
5. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.815, 197.51;
6. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.828, 195.00
7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.840, 192.93
8. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.871, 193.85
9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.877, 196.56
10. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.885, 192.91
11. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.953, 194.35
12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.965, 190.43
13. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.977, 196.87
14. Katie Justice, Suzuki, 7.107, 190.51
15. Michael Phillips, Buell, 7.111, 189.58
16. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 7.263, 196.47
Not Qualified:
17. Joey Gladstone, 7.568, 134.35
18. Jianna Evaristo, 9.398, 93.99
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ABOUT NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown and Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Series. Twice a year, NHRA hosts a ‘race-within-a-race,’ during the JEGS Allstars and Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle specialty competitions. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. With over 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing-related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
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