Louisiana-native Angelle Sampey will make her 2024 debut in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series Division 4 season with the backing of Range, an authorized Case IH and Kubota dealership in Donaldsonville. Sampey, a three-time NHRA world champion on two wheels, will take the wheel of the Range Racing dragster, owned by Michalek Brothers Racing (MBR), from Feb. 23-25 at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana.

The seasoned racer transitioned from bikes to a Top Alcohol Dragster last summer, making her national event debut at the NHRA FallNationals near Dallas and achieving a semifinal finish. Strong performances followed, including a No. 1 qualifying spot at the Las Vegas race and a runner-up finish at the NHRA Division 7 race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I’ve long wanted to race in my backyard at No Problem Raceway, but the NHRA hasn’t had a national event in Louisiana for many years since the Cajun Nationals left Baton Rouge,” said Sampey. “We knew we had to find the funding, and I’m just so excited to stage this Range Racing dragster in Louisiana in front of my family and friends.”

Range’s support comes at a crucial time for Sampey, who recently announced a partnership with Antron Brown’s AB Motorsports for the 2024 NHRA season. She is also racing for the Lucas Oil Series championship with additional backing from Hangster’s Metal Working Lubricants, Factory Motor Parts, the FVP brand, Mission Foods, Innovative Global Technology Group (IGTG), and now Range and Pro-TEK RV Service at the Belle Rose race.

“I bought this dealership eight years ago when Angelle was coming out of retirement and going back into racing the Pro Stock Bike, and I had this dream that if one day I could grow this dealership, I might be able to sponsor Angelle,” said Billy Lawson, owner of Range. “When Angelle went to working with Antron and the dragster, her husband Seth Drago told me about the potential for her to race at No Problem Raceway and I knew I wanted in. It grew legs from there and here we are with the Range Racing dragster.”

The local response to Sampey’s return and the announcement of her racing in Louisiana has been remarkable, according to Lawson. The dealership’s customers, who resonate with Sampey’s passion for speed and horsepower, have shown enthusiastic support for her upcoming race in her home state.

“We couldn’t be more excited to support her at this event,” Lawson added, emphasizing the community engagement and the alignment of values between Range’s customer base and Sampey’s racing endeavors.

As Sampey gears up for the No Problem Raceway event, the collaboration with Range and AB Motorsports underscores the significance of local partnerships in fueling the aspirations of a seasoned racer embarking on a new chapter in her career.