Angelle Sampey is having fun again. That spells trouble for her fellow competitors in the NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle class.

After securing the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Carolina Nationals Saturday with a pass of 6.815 seconds at 196.02 mph, the three-time world champion described how she has undergone a personal transformation since renewing her career.

“I’m a different person than when I raced the first time around,” Sampey said. “I don’t feel the same at all. In the past, I was always so nervous and so scared at the starting line. First round was such torture that I didn’t even know why I was out there.”

Sampey said she now competes with an inner peace, even amid the screaming fans, scorching heat and intense competition.

“I’m so calm. There are no nerves whatsoever,” Sampey said. “I think that I kind of realized that life goes on even though you may not get the green hat as the top qualifier at the end of the day.

“I don’t want it any less, but I understand that I’m still gonna breathe. Before I felt like I couldn’t breathe if I didn’t win, and that’s making a big difference for me.”

As for her move back to the NHRA ranks in 2014 after a 2010 retirement at age 38, Sampey mentioned her 5-year old daughter, Ava, as inspiration.

“Even though it was a hard decision for me, the reason why I did decide to come back was because of my child,” said Sampey, a 41-time NHRA event winner. “She made me try to decide which was the best way to go. I didn’t want to come back because I didn’t want to leave her at home, but I also wanted to show my little girl what she can do in life if she devotes herself to something and works hard.”

For Sampey, excelling in the six-race Countdown to the Championship would now carry special meaning.

“Winning a championship would mean more than anything in the world because it’s showing my daughter what’s possible,” Sampey said. “That first win I got this year meant more than all my other wins and world championships put together.”

Saturday marked Sampey’s third consecutive No. 1 qualifier and 49th of her career. She will be pitted against Mark Paquette in the first round of eliminations.

Eddie Krawiec qualified second, with Jerry Savoie in third. Defending world champion and top seed Andrew Hines earned the No. 6 position.

The emotional Sampey is eager to continue her fun run.

“I think we’re in the groove now,” she said. “The bike is running really well, the crew is working really well and I’m driving much better, so it’s all coming together. We’re having a good time.

“I want to be the best every run. I want to be the best on Friday, the best on Saturday and the best on Sunday. That’s the way to do it.”