It’s been several months since I last updated my blog. A lot has changed in my life since then. I am sorry to say that this is going to be my final blog.

Since I last updated you guys and gals, I have made a major life decision. Like the saying goes ... when one door closes, another one opens. Well, I’ve decided to close the door on my racing career to open the door to my future. Racing motorcycles has been nearly 100 percent of my focus for almost my entire life. I have sacrificed just about everything that you can possibly imagine to accomplish the goals that I set for myself. In 1995, 14 years ago, I wrote a letter to George Bryce (who had never heard of me) and told him that I was going to be a NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion. When I wrote that letter, I had never even sat on a Pro Stock bike yet. To the world, I was just a girl with a ridiculous dream. No one knew who I was, I had no money, no big racing last name, no connections to the sport what so ever. But what I did have was passion, determination, will power and the most stubborn “I’LL SHOW YOU!!” attitude ever!

I told lots of people what I wanted to do and everyone laughed at me, except, of course, my parents, and George or Jackie Bryce. My mom especially has always told me that I can accomplish anything! Everyone else looked at me as if I had lost my mind. But not George; he told me that we could win together and, oh boy, did we win: 41 wins and three world championships. What a ride! Thanks George and Jackie, and thanks to everyone at Star Racing for taking a chance on the girl with the crazy dream.

I did exactly what I set out to do. I accomplished every goal that I made for myself before I started racing. Along the way, I set a few more goals and I accomplished all but one. I really wanted to drop the title of “Winningest Female Racer” and gain the title of “Winningest Racer” in Pro Stock Bikes. I guess I fell just short of that one.

As I look back on my career in racing, I do feel a great deal of pride but I also wonder if the sacrifices that I made were all worth it. Being a female in this sport can take it’s toll in several different ways. I won’t take the time that I would need to explain every detail, but I will tell you that it was very difficult for me at times. My racing career was really hard on my family and was especially hard on any relationship I tried to have. I took a public bashing for quite some time because of my name changes. I had two failed marriages, due mostly to the demands of a life and job away from home. In a similar situation, I had a business nearly bankrupt me because I couldn’t be here to oversee what was happening while I was gone. My brother and I didn’t speak for almost two years because my “distance” from the family literally came between us. But most important of all, I am still childless. I don’t even think I can explain the feeling of being a 39-year-old woman who doesn’t have a child. It’s just not natural. I have lived every day for at least the past 10 years with a giant hole in my heart. I chose to put off having children until later in life, but I never really thought it was going to be this late.

God has given me another chance. At the beginning of the 2009 season, Shirley Muldowney contacted me to ask if I would be interested in driving a Top Fuel dragster for her. Despite what I had been feeling for quite some time, I did not hesitate to say yes! Just days before that call, my mom broke down to me and said how happy she was that I wasn’t racing anymore. She said that my family wanted me home and they wanted me safe. She said that she thanks God everyday for allowing me to have the career that I had without ever being injured. I reluctantly called to inform her of my decision to pursue a Top Fuel ride, she somberly replied “I’ll support whatever decision you make, I just want you to be happy.” Those words rang loud and clear in my head for several months. Although the idea of racing with Shirley, and especially in a Top Fuel car, excited me so much that my spine tingled, I couldn’t lie to myself about what was really going fill the hole in my heart. At the final hour Shirley informed me that the deal fell through, I felt so many different emotions at once. I was sad, but happy. Scared but relieved. Mad but glad. I knew that this was my sign. It was time for me to close this door and open the next one.

I was scared that my friends and some of my family would be disappointed. I had actually been believing that “Angelle the racer” was all that they cared about. I didn’t think that anyone wanted to know me for me, but only because of my racing. This had really affected my self esteem and had caused me to be extremely insecure. But when I told them, they all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Then I knew that they really do love me and that I was doing the right thing.

The best thing of all happened after that. My boyfriend of three years, Seth Drago, took me up in a hot air balloon ride and asked me to be his wife. How romantic! I knew just then that he loves me for who I really am. He doesn’t care if I am on TV, how much money I make, what sponsors I have or what “title” I hold. He just loves me for me and that’s all there is to it. I couldn’t ask for anything better in the whole world.

So this time around, my sacrifices are going to be a little different. My focus will be on Seth and the children that I pray God will bless us with. I will soak up every moment I get with my friends and family. I am going to live my life in the slow lane for a while. I am going to enjoy a normal life in the real world.

I want to thank all of you who rooted for me. Thank you for your support, for your friendship and, most of all, for your prayers. You have no idea how much it has meant to me over the years. I may have missed out on a lot with my friends and family at home while I was racing, but I sure do have lots of memories from my extended family and friends that I made on the road. I was very blessed to have met so many of you. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: You all really were the wind beneath my wings!!

Thank you for reading my blogs. I hope they were at least a little entertaining for you and that you have learned something about me that you might not have known otherwise. Beneath the helmet was just a girl chasing a dream; I hope you’ll do the same in your lives. It’s never too late to get what you want! Champion the right to be yourself. Dare to be different. Live your own life and follow your dreams, for in the end, if we live truly, we shall truly live!

God Bless each and every one of you.

Cajun News Hotline......
I am sad to report dat dare has been two tragic losses in South Louisiana. Thibodeaux has passed away ... and in his will he axed to be buried at sea. Boudreaux, Thibodeaux’s brother and best friend, done drowned while trying to dig Thibodeaux’s grave. May day boat rest in peace!

 

Here are the co-owners of G. Smith Motorsports, Glen Smith and Gary Smith

Halloween is almost here! It's one of my favorite times of the year. I love to dress up and especially love to see the kids dressed up. It’s so much fun to me. Last year while we were in Vegas, I dressed up like an NHRA Cheerleader. I haven’t decided on this years costume yet. If I am home, I will be going to my friend Brooke’s birthday party. A costume party, of course. I’m not sure yet if I will be home though. I’ve actually been traveling a bit lately. This past weekend I was in Richmond, Va., for the races. It was kind of a last minute thing and I wasn’t too sure how I was going to take it because of my last two episodes at the races, which were in Gainesville and Indy, but this time was different. I’m not sure if it was because the bikes were not there, or because I am just feeling better about it, but I was really happy to be there from the moment I got to the track.

A couple weekends before that, I went to Orange Beach, Ala., with my parents for a Shriners event. Seth had to work so unfortunately he couldn’t make it. My dad and I hung out on the beach together while my mom went to a tea party. They had to create their own themed hats for the party. Here’s a picture of me wearing the one my mom made. We also had a door decorating contest and best of all, a luau. We had a blast! My dad’s Shriner friends are wonderful people and I really enjoy being around them.

I’ve also been busy at home. Besides studying and the usual Coral Fever stuff, I am now working with a company called G Smith Motorsports. They are a locally owned Bourget Bike Works Motorcycle Dealer located in St. Rose, La.  Bourget Bike Works is well known in the motorcycle industry for its unique custom designed motorcycles. BBW is ranked one of the top motorcycle builders in the custom motorcycle world.

This is from the press release:

Glen Smith, co-owner of G. Smith motorsports comments, “A partnership between G. Smith Motorsports and Angelle Sampey is a perfect match. As we move forward with major event rallies and fundraising activities across the south, we are proud to have Angelle represent our business. Angelle’s dedication to the racing industry and her drive to be the best align with the G. Smith/Bourget business philosophy. We strive to be the best in product, sales and service to our clients.”

Angelle’s first public appearance representing G. Smith Motorsports is Saturday, Nov. 7 from noon until 4:00 p.m. at Louisiana Custom Cruisers Benefit Car Show in Boutte, La. Angelle will showcase her new Bourget motorcycle provided by G. Smith Motorsports, as well as sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Come join us.

I am very excited about this opportunity. G Smith Motorsports is involved in lots of charities that I am proud to be a part of.

Speaking of Charities. I want you guys to know about one in particular that is very close to my heart. It’s called Jaylen’s Challenge. The website address is http://www.jaylenschallenge.org

This site is the dream of a wonderful little boy named Jaylen. Jaylen suffers from Tourette Syndrome. He wants to educate people about bullying, bringing attention to the difficulties he faces in his day to day living . He hopes to make you laugh, make you cry, but most importantly make you aware that those with disabilities are not only normal - but incredibly special people. With your help and support he can spread the word and teach people to help ... not bully

The reason that this is so close to my heart is because my nephew Logan has Tourette Syndrome. It’s such a terrible thing for other kids to bully such sweet children like Logan and Jaylen for something that they don’t understand. So if you guys have kids, or even if you don’t, please take a moment to look at Jaylen’s site. Help your kids to understand what Tourette’s is, and that they should never bully or tease a child that has it. Help them to understand that they should never bully anyone for any reason.

Well that’s about all that I have for you guys today. I wish you all a very SPOOKtacular Halloween! Be safe and Have Fun!! I know I will!
 

One day Boudreaux went to the doctor to get a check up. Boudreaux says to the doctor, "Mais you know something doc ... my wife Clotile, she's having trouble wit her hearing."

De doc say, "Well Boudreaux, how bad is it?"

"Mais doc I don't know how bad it really is but she don't seem to hear me at all. What's de best way to find out how bad her hearing is?"

De doc say, "Boudreaux, when you get home stand about 20 feet behind Clotile and say something in your regular voice. If Clotile don't respond then move up 10 feet and try again. If you don't get any response again move up five feet and try, then if you don't get any response move right up behind her and try."

When Boudreax got home, Clotile was wash dem dish in de sink so he get about 20 feet back and say, "Clotile what we havin for dinner?"

Mais there was no response, so he move up 10 feet and say dat again. Still no response so he move up five feet and try. Nothing...

"Hunh, it worse dan I tought," Boudreaux say to himself.

He move right up behind Clotile now and ax her one mo time, "Clotile, what we havin for dinner?"

Clotile turned, looked at him and said, "For the fourth time, I said we havin' chicken and rice!"
 

Hey gang,

I’ve been putting off my blog update for some time now because I just really haven’t had much going on to write about. My days are mostly filled with studying for my RN refresher course to get my license reinstated. Other than that, I work on Coral Fever stuff, which is my aquarium business, for those of you who haven’t read my blogs before. We’ve been getting in lots of gorgeous corals lately so it takes me a lot of time to photograph them and post them on our website. www.coralfever.com is where you can see what we have to offer.

It has been pretty much a non racing year for me so far. Until recently, the only race I attended this season was the Gators in Gainesville Florida. I haven’t even been able to watch them on T.V. It’s just too hard for me. But this past weekend was different. I attended the U.S. Nationals and unlike Gainesville, I had a BLAST!! Well to be perfectly honest, as we drove through the gate, my heart was pounding and my emotions took over and no matter how hard I tried to hold it back... I started to cry. I thought to myself, “I’m never going to be able to deal with this! I shouldn’t have come here and I want to go home!” but after I was out of the car and especially after I got a hug from my favorite Top Fuel racer, Antron Brown, my emotions turned to happiness and excitement to be BACK AT THE RACE TRACK!!!

Being back at the track for the first time in six months was quite a feeling. I really was dreading being there because I knew that it was going to hurt. I am NOT a spectator! I am a RACER! Thank goodness the pain only lasted for the short drive into the infield.  The whole time I was there, I could feel my heart pounding inside of my chest. My senses were heightened and the adrenaline was rushing. It was like I had consumed a case of Full Throttle all at once.

I’ve been enjoying my time at home and have taken complete advantage of the many months of much needed R and R... but man did it feel good to feel the earth shake and to smell the nitro and to see my friends again at the most exciting motorsports arena in the world, THE U.S. NATIONALS!!!

I spent most of my time in the Pro Stock bike pits this time. In Gainesville, I couldn’t go there because I was a wreck, just thinking about not racing with them. But this time was different. I was happy to be there and excited to see them race.  I swore that I would never admit this to anyone, but I’m really good friends with Craig Treble, so that’s where I hung out. I even drove Craig’s bike to the staging lanes for him once with him pushing me up there. It was so funny because all of the bike teams just pointed and laughed because Craig and I have a reputation for hating each other. It’s more like a big brother, little sister relationship except although he’s MUCH older, I’m still bigger! LOL.... Well not really, he’s not that much older than me but he is a little taller. Maybe an inch or two.

After truly enjoying the bikes from the sidelines, I realized that I’ve come to terms with the fact that my Pro Stock Bike racing days are quite possibly over and I am actually at peace with it. I believe that God has other plans for me. I sent up a few request lately, hoping that those plans include replacing my most excellent Custom Bates leathers with one of those really cool looking Impact Racing firesuits! That’s right boys and girls, I’m talking about Nitro Baby!! Well of course I’d also like to win the lottery, find the fountain of youth, be able to eat anything I want and never gain weight and most importantly, experience World Peace! But for right now, I’d settle for a ride in one of those big bad fuelers!!

Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m dreaming, but at least I’m dreaming big and you gotta have a dream! I believe that they make us what we are. In the book Who Says The Fat Lady Has To Sing? Bob Wosczyk writes, “With change comes growth, but we will never grow if we never change. And if we never grow, we will never get what it is that we really want out of life. Our dreams will never come to pass.”  I’m ready for t hat change. I’m ready for the growth. I’m ready for my dreams to once again become a reality.

I still don’t know which of my dreams is the one God is going to choose for me, there are a couple others that I’d rather keep to myself for the moment. So in the meantime, I will continue to pray, hope, dream and of course, study, study, study, until I reach my next adventure. I know that where ever my journey takes me, that my greatest days are ahead of me, and that no matter what, I am going to continue to live an extraordinary life.

Be blessed everyone!


Boudreaux axed Thibodaux the other day...

“ May Thib... why do dem scooba diven people always fall backwards out of da boat?”

Thibodaux replies... “ Boudreaux! You So Stupid You!... if they would fall forward, den they would still be IN DA BOAT!!!”

Ok, so I figured it was time that I drop in to say hello and tell you guys what’s been going on in my “non racing” world. Actually, I have really been enjoying my time off even more than I anticipated. I guess after nearly 14 years of traveling, a break was exactly what I needed. It’s been so nice to be home for every occasion that I’ve been missing for so many years. It’s funny when my friends and family call me and ask, “Angelle, will you be home the weekend of…” and I just laugh and say, “Yes, I’ll be home.” It’s funny because they are asking because they expect me to say “no,” or that “I have to check my race calendar,” and most of the time I would have a race on the weekend in question. But this time when they ask, I don’t even have to look… I just know I will be home. So some of what I’ve been up to is spending time with friends and family. I have been very fortunate to be able to help my mom and dad take care of my 95-year-old grandmother. Her name is Doris Sampey. She is my dad’s mom. My dad and his brothers and sister are taking turns having her for a little while at a time, and when she is at my parents house, I get to see her. Last visit, I styled her hair and did her makeup before we attended my nephew Logan’s 7th birthday party, an event that I would normally miss due to the Chicago or Englishtown race.

I’ve always found it amazing that my grandmother is 95 and still going strong, but I really freaked out when she told me what year she was born, I just hadn’t thought about it that way before. She said it was in 1914. I just can’t get a handle on that. Can you imagine? The progress she has witnessed… the technology, the changes, the births, and the deaths. It overwhelms me to think of what she has seen and experienced. The other night, I sat and wrote out our family tree just to see what lives have taken place because of her. It was pretty amazing to see how many people she and my late grandfather are responsible for. Both of my grandfathers passed several years ago, but both of my grandmothers are still doing great. I really am thankful for this time that I am getting to spend with both of them. I am including a picture of the two: Doris Sampey, 95, on the left, and Helen Hartman, 86, on the right.

Another thing that has been taking up most my time is my studying. I am back in school to get my RN license reinstated. I have to take a Registered Nurse refresher course because I’ve been out of the field for so long. I want to get my license reinstated regardless of whether or not I return to racing. I know that sponsors come and go and racing can end for so many different reasons, so I want to have another option open. I was talking to a friend the other day. He says that he’s anxious to hear about the day I get a patient that is a diehard NHRA race fan. He say’s he can just imagine the patients face when I walk into the room and introduce myself as his or her nurse. I thought about it, and I kinda hope it happens. If my racing can help to make someone’s stay in the hospital a better experience, then I’m all for it.

When I am not studying or catching up with family, I have been continuing to work on Seth’s and my business, Coral Fever. I’ve added lots of items to our online store at www.coralfever.com. I’ve also changed up my website at www.goangelle.com. I have some more to do, but I only get to work on that stuff in small increments of time. Business is slow right now, just like everything with this economy, but Seth and I are very passionate about our aquariums and we do it more for the passion than for the business, but it sure would be nice for it to be profitable in the long run.

Speaking of Seth, as most of you who read my blogs know, he is a Combat Medic in the Louisiana National Guard, and the other day he was assigned to work with recruiting at the New Orleans D-Day museum for the World War II Memorial Celebration. He called and asked me to meet him downtown. I was studying but decided that I needed a break. I drove him and three other soldiers to lunch at “Mothers,” a place that I highly suggest if you ever make it to “The Big Easy.” After he was done at the museum, a few of us went to my friends pub called “Maguires” on Magazine Street, where we met some World War II vets. Then we went to the New Orleans French Market, then stopped in at Jimmy Buffets “Margaritaville” and finally ended the day with some great Sushi in the French Quarter before heading back home. It was an unplanned day that ended up being one of the greatest I’ve had in a while. Seth and I have lots of fun together and I also enjoy being with soldiers AND I love downtown New Orleans. It was a very blessed day!

So I have to admit that although I am still unemployed and I hate to study and life without racing could be construed as no life at all, I do find myself extremely happy and extremely relaxed and most importantly of all, EXTREMELY BLESSED!!

Just as I said in an earlier post, God has put me exactly where he wants me and I know that he has a plan for me. Still don’t know exactly what that plan is or when it is going to be put into action, but as far as I am concerned, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that’s why we call it “The Present!” And I am making the most of each day I am given.

I hate to end this with such sorrow, but I want to let you guys know that my cousin Eric Matherne passed away a few days ago. He was only 27 years old. It was an accident that took his life at such a young age. This is why I consider each day a gift. We just never know when it’s going to be our last. My friends, family and I have experienced a lot of loss in the past few months. I sure wouldn’t mind a break from that too! As usual, I would like to ask for your prayers for Eric’s family and friends. Coping with such an unexpected loss is so tough and prayers are greatly needed and always appreciated!

Until next time,..... God Bless you all, and remember to enjoy the present!

It’s Boudreaux time!!
This one is a little long, but it’s funny.

The IRS decides to audit Boudreaux, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor is not surprised when Boudreaux shows up with his attorney. The IRS had demanded $23,000 in taxes from Boudreaux due to unreported income.

The auditor says, “Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I’m not sure the IRS finds that believable.”

“I’m a great gambler, and I can prove it,” says Boudreaux. “How about a demonstration?”

The auditor thinks for a moment and said, “Okay. Go ahead.”

Boudreaux says, “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.”

The auditor thinks a moment and says, “No way! It’s a bet.”

Boudreaux removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor’s jaw drops.

Boudreaux says, “Now, I’ll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye.”

The auditor can tell Boudreaux isn’t blind, so he takes the bet. Boudreaux removes his dentures and bites his good eye.

The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Boudreaux’s attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.

“Want to go double or nothing?” Boudreaux asks. “I’ll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.”

The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there’s no way this guy can manage that stunt, so he agrees again.

Boudreaux stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightily, he can’t make the stream reach the wastebasket on other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the desk.

The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Boudreaux’s attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.

“Are you okay?” the auditor asks. “Not really,” says the attorney. “This morning, when Boudreaux told me he’d been summoned to appear in person before the IRS, he bet me twenty-thousand dollars that he could come in here and urinate all over your desk and that you’d be happy about it.”