Sampey, Brown first round losers

03/18/2007

U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher, won his first race of the 2007 season here Sunday in the ACDelco Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

In Pro Stock Motorcycles, U.S. Army pilots Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown both lost in the first round.

Both Sampey and Brown were beaten on “hole shots,” where one competitor posts a better elapsed time than his or her opponent, but leaves the starting later and gets to the finish line second.

In Sampey’s case, she recorded a quicker pass than 16th-place qualifier Karen Stoffer (6.969-seconds at 185.05 mph) but her reaction time at the starting line was slower than Stoffer’s -- .119-seconds to .004-seconds.

“The numbers say it all,” said a dejected Sampey, who had qualified number one on Saturday with a national record setting run. “When you leave the line late that usually spells trouble.”

Brown had a similar experience against 14th-place qualifier, Tom Bradford. The New Jersey native posted a quicker 7.012-second quarter-mile trip at 185.64 mph, but his .109-second start was slower than Bradford’s .042-second launch.

“I feel the same way as Angelle – horrible,” said Brown. “The (crew) guys gave us great Suzukis and we just didn’t get the job done today. After testing here in Gainesville tomorrow, we’ll certainly look to make amends in two weeks out in Texas.”

Schumacher, Sampey and Brown will next head to Houston  Raceway Park, March 30 April 1, for the O’Reilly Spring Nationals.