Sun, 29 Oct 2000, 02:54 PM Angelle Seeling Clinches Winston Championship

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

BAYTOWN, Texas -- Angelle Seeling, from New Orleans, clinched her first NHRA Winston Pro Stock Motorcycle championship when three-time defending champ Matt Hines lost in the second round to Dave Schultz. Seeling, rider of the Team Winston Suzuki, becomes only the second female to claim a professional championship title in NHRA history. Shirley Muldowney won Top Fuel titles in 1977, 1980 and 1982. Seeling is the third female to win a championship in all NHRA categories. Memphis, Tenn.'s Amy Falk claimed the Super Stock championship in 1979.

Angelle wins Winston Championship.

SEELING: "I am so happy that we won the Winston championship here and don't have to go to Pomona. I don't think my heart or stomach could take it any more. This is awesome. There's going to be a big party in Louisiana this week. "I couldn't believe it when Shawn's win light came on. I was so disappointed because I thought I was going to have to go to Pomona. I couldn't believe it when they said Matt lost too. I kept asking, 'Did I win? Did I win?' I couldn't believe it. They told me that I had did it. That it was over.

"After losing the championship by eight points last year I was so disappointed. I didn't know why I had lost, but I took all the responsibility. Now I know why I lost, because I wouldn't have been able to appreciate winning like I do now. Star Racing and Team Winston won the championship this year and we deserved it. We earned it and no one can take it away from us. We did what we had to do. Now I can go to Pomona and relax and focus and have fun. I can start to work on my championship speech."

TEAM OWNER GEORGE BRYCE: "This is by far the best championship that my team has ever one. It's been a great challenge this year against all the bikes from Freedom Motorsports. We had more adversity this year than ever before with all those teams against us. It's been very rewarding to see Angelle win the championship after working with her as a team owner and a coach."