GAIGE HERRERA WINS PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS IN CHARLOTTE

For the 11th straight race dating back to last season, and 16th time in his career, Herrera was top qualifier, posting a 6.671-second/202.70mph run that reset the zMax Dragway elapsed time record. On Saturday, he also won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, a race within a race contested during qualifications in which semi-finalists from the previous race compete head-to-head for a cash purse and championship bonus points.

Under the NHRA’s unique four-wide racing format, the first two riders in each four-motorcycle quad to cross the finish line, barring a redlight jumpstart, advance to the next elimination round. In the final round four-wide quad, the first motorcycle to cross the finish line wins.

Herrera advanced out of his first-round quad with a 6.696-second/203.34mph win over runner-up Chase Van Sant (6.802 seconds/199.29mph). Hector Arana Sr. and Steve Johnson failed to advance. In round two, Herrera ran 6.698-seconds at 202.70mph to defeat runner-up John Hall (6.748 seconds/202.27mph), knocking out Van Sant and Angie Smith. 

In the final round quad matchup against his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki teammate Richard Gadson, John Hall and LE Tonglet, Herrera ran 6.684-seconds at 202.73mph to go back-to-back at Charlotte and claim his second win of the 2024 season. It was his seventh consecutive victory extending to last season, and 13th of Herrera’s career.

“The parity is getting remarkably close in this class between the Suzuki Hayabusas and the Buells. Every time I look Matt Smith is out testing. That’s good for the class. I love good competition and it’s sparked a little fire in me,” Herrera said. “We had an issue in the first round of qualification, but we came back to take the number one spot and ran very consistently all through the rest of the weekend. Going into race day, I was amped up and ready to go. I knew it was going to be tough every round no matter who I was lined up against, so to have two Vance & Hines Suzukis in the final was awesome for the team. I was glad to come out on top, and I’m excited to go to Chicago next. It’s fast and almost like a home track for me.”

Richard Gadson (23) made his first four-wide format race appearance finishing third overall in just his second NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle race weekend.

Making his second career Pro Stock Motorcycle start and first appearance at a four-wide race, Richard Gadson qualified sixth with a 6.729-second/201.55mph run on Saturday.

In round one, Gadson was runner-up to LE Tonglet (6,745 seconds/200.68mph), making a 6.853-second/199.67mph pass to advance out of the quad over Jiana Evaristo and Ryan Oehler. 

Gadson took revenge in round two with a 6.784-second/200.53mph holeshot win over runner-up Tonglet (6.778 seconds/198.76mph) that eliminated Hector Arana Jr. and Matt Smith and set up Gadson’s first career final-round appearance. 

In the finals, Gadson was third across the finish line, his 6.767-second/198.41mph run coming up just short of second-place finisher John Hall (6.758 seconds/202.12mph).

“This weekend was all about making progress and getting more comfortable on the bike. Crew chief Eddie Krawiec and I are learning a lot about the setup every run,” Gadson said. “We made it to two final rounds with the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday and the race final today, so I’m happy with my weekend. I’m starting to have some fun now and want to carry this momentum to the next race in Chicago and keep getting better.”

RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said a recent change to a new mandatory racing fuel put a new twist on competition in the class, but the team showed its strength by adapting to the change and executing flawlessly on race day.

“Our competition has picked up the pace a little this season, and we might have lost a few hundredths due to the fuel change, so that means we really need to be on our game every round to make sure we have a combination that produces good reaction and 60-foot times. Richard did a great job getting to the final round and both he and Gaige had killer reaction times all weekend. The other teams are getting closer, but we’ve still got Gaige,” Hines said. “This Vance & Hines team has built a lethal combination with the Suzuki Hayabusa, and it’s phenomenal to keep this winning streak going. We’ll do it again in Chicago and keep the pressure on the other teams.”

After the second of 15 races in the 2024 season, Herrera and Gadson sit first and tied for fifth in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings with 254 and 130 points, respectively. 

The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action May 17-19 at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway in Elwood, IL.

For the latest Suzuki team news, race reports, and information visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Drag-Racing

About Vance & Hines Motorsports

Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in the NHRA and MotoAmerica. The new website is vanceandhinesmotorsports.com.

Photos Courtesy of Matt Polito