After a whirlwind month of personnel changes in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division, Angelle Sampey will fill the position recently vacated by Peggy Lewellyn when team owners Karl and Kim Klement announced they would not renew her contract in 2008. The three-time NHRA POWERade champ Sampey will pilot their Rush Racing Products Buell in 2008.
 
Klement Racing signed major sponsor Rush just in time for the 2007 Countdown to the Championship. The addition was almost in unison with the U.S. Army's decision to abandon their Pro Stock Motorcycle marketing effort.

The timing was perfect for Rush president Lou Pringle. 

I never thought the Army would give us such a golden opportunity." lsaid Pringle. "Given Angelle's popularity, she's a perfect marketing tool for our products. We're very excited."
 

After a whirlwind month of personnel changes in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division, Angelle Sampey will fill the position recently vacated by Peggy Lewellyn when team owners Karl and Kim Klement announced they would not renew her contract in 2008. The three-time NHRA POWERade champ Sampey will pilot their Rush Racing Products Buell in 2008.
 
Klement Racing signed major sponsor Rush just in time for the 2007 Countdown to the Championship. The addition was almost in unison with the U.S. Army's decision to abandon their Pro Stock Motorcycle marketing effort.

The timing was perfect for Rush president Lou Pringle. 

I never thought the Army would give us such a golden opportunity." said Pringle. "Given Angelle's popularity, she's a perfect marketing tool for our products. We're very excited."
 
"It's outrageously cool," agreed Rush CEO Terry Daniel. "It's very exciting for all parties concerned. It's been one heck of a ride for us, and we're really looking forward to 2008. Angelle's very professional and brings a lot to the table. And we have a great deal of respect for Karl Klement. He's a phenomenal fellow and runs a very professional team. He's very straightforward and he pursues winning, and I like that."

The opportunity to sign Sampey works greatly for Karl Klement.

"Kim and I are so excited to have Angelle on board," said Klement. "No way did I think this would happen. Two years ago, we went to the races in Dallas and sat in the stands. Last year, we won the race. This year, we'll be there with the biggest star in the sport. A lot of great things are happening. When this opportunity arose, all of our marketing partners asked me if we could get this done."

This program clears up a cloudy future for Sampey. She had been rumored as a successor to Chip Ellis following the decision by DSR to field only one motorcycle in 2008.

 
"Karl approached me and made it an opportunity that I couldn't refuse," said Sampey. "I had three different opportunities to choose from, but Karl offered me an opportunity to be a part of the business beyond my racing career. I put them all on the table and Karl's was the one I chose to take.
 
"In the short period of time that I've been talking to Karl and Kim, I've realized that they're exactly the kind of team owners that I want to ride for. I'm very excited to be working for them. I think we'll be very successful on the racetrack, and I know we'll be very successful as a team. I'm really looking forward to it."
 
Sampey is part owner of Performance Suzuki in her hometown of Houma, Louisiana. She doesn't see a conflict of interest in riding a Buell in competition.  

"The Buell was probably the toughest part of the decision," said Sampey. "I've been riding Suzukis since I was 6 years old. I know it's gonna be different, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all that power and see what I can do on one. I'm very excited about it and I can't wait to see what we can do. After 11 years in the sport, that will be a big change and it should make for a very interesting year."