A season long battle between Pro Stock Motorcycle defending champion Matt Hines and three year veteran Angelle Seeling was finally settled on the last meet of the 1999 season. In her quarterfinal run Seeling had a much better elapsed time but her glove got caught in the clutch handle causing her to leave very late. Hines who was coming up for his run realized the ball was in his court. All he had to do was win his match and he would be the 1999 Pro Stock Bike Champion. With his usual veteran calmness, Hines went on to win his quarterfinal match and the season went to him. The final points tally was separated by only eight points. Officially the closest Pro decision of NHRA's 1999 season.
In only her third year of Pro Drag Racing, Angelle Seeling of Luling, LA has runner-up in the past two seasons. She is driving for George Bryce of Star Racing in the premier spot this year after last years fatal off track accident of teammate John Myers. Seeling set records earlier this year of 7.212 E.T. and 188.73 mph. She will be a chief contender in motorcycle for years to come.
When I interviewed Angelle earlier this year, she told me John Force was recruiting her to drive a Top Fuel Dragster to add to his Force Racing Team. Seeling at this point says she wants to stick to motorcycles, which she has been racing since the age of six.
Hines now has his third consecutive championship but does admit that this was the first time he has gone to Pomona without the championship already decided. At this time neither team has announced in significant changes for next year. In the other NHRA classes Top Fuel honors went to Tony Schumacher and runner up was Gary Scelzi. Funny Car went almost automatically to the defending champion John Force and his partner Tony Pedregon (one of three brothers who all race Funny Car) was runner up. Pro Stock Car was also a traditional winner in Warren Johnson with runner up honors to Jeg Coughlin. Pro Stock Truck went to Bob Panella and Brad Jeter, Federal Mogul Dragster (Top Alcohol) belongs to Rick Santos first and Melanie Troxell as runner up and Federal Mogul Funny Car first place was Frank Manzo and Tony Bartone in second.
Editor's Note:
I plan on covering more human interest vs. technical articles here. I will be happy to answer any non-technical questions you have. Just email me at "mailto:caudill3@bellsouth.net" and I will answer them as space and time allows. Also if anyone has a favorite story, picture of your car that you drag race or other points of interest, we will be glad to consider them.
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