Hayabusa Continues Unparalleled Win Streak
Brea, CA (July 1, 2024) - Gaige Herrera (1) continued his historic, record-setting performance in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class by riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa to the winner’s circle for the sixth time this season and 11th race in a row at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park In Norwalk, OH, on Sunday.
Race Highlights:
- Gaige Herrera qualified number three, set a new track elapsed time record, won his sixth-straight race since the beginning of the 2024 season (a new NHRA record), and extended his all-time NHRA records for consecutive elimination round wins (43) and consecutive race wins (11).
- Richard Gadson qualified fifth, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and advanced to his third-straight semi-final round appearance.
Following a historic race a week ago in Richmond, VA, where he broke two long-standing NHRA records for consecutive elimination round wins and national event victories, Herrera qualified third on Saturday with a 6.799-second/198.88 mph run.
Gaige Herrera (1) makes history on his Vance & Hines Hayabusa at Norwalk.
Herrera defeated Ron Tornow (6.907 seconds/195.96 mph) in round one with a 6.698-second/200.95 mph pass that set a new Norwalk track elapsed time record. In round two, Herrera defeated Chase Van Sant (6.812 seconds/197.68 mph) with a 6.760-second/199.64 mph pass. Herrera defeated John Hall (foul) in the semi-final round for the second race in row, posting a 6.720-second/200.80 mph pass that set up the 18th final round appearance of his career with a matchup against top qualifier, Matt Smith.
In the finals, Herrera defeated Smith (no time) with a 6.704-second/200.77 mph run to win his sixth race of the 2024 season and 17th of his career. The victory extended his NHRA-record national event win streak to 11 consecutive races, dating back to 2023 and also extended his consecutive elimination round win streak to 43 rounds, also an NHRA record. Herrera’s six straight wins to open the 2024 season is also a new NHRA record, breaking a tie he held with Funny Car legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, dating back to 1976.
“With the records behind me, I came into this weekend just looking to have fun. We struggled a little bit in qualifying with the weather against us, but Mother Nature was on our side and blew in some cool air for Sunday,” Herrera said. “It’s incredible to be in the record books with legends like Don Prudhomme and Bob Glidden, but I’ve got to give the credit to all the people at Vance & Hines and Suzuki. None of this would be possible without them. I’m in the spotlight on the track, but these records belong to the team too. It’s really starting to set in what we’re accomplishing. I’m just trying to enjoy the ride and soak it all in as much as I can, because once you’re at the top there’s only one way you can go.”
Richard Gadson (23) posted a 6.803-second/199.52 mph run on Saturday to claim the fifth starting spot. Gadson also won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on his Hayabusa, a race within a race contested during qualifications in which semi-finalists from the previous race compete for a cash purse and championship bonus points. Gadson won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the first time in his career.
Richard Gadson (23) wins the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, gaining bonus championship points.
In round one, Gadson defeated Steve Johnson (10.048 seconds/81.66 mph) with a 7.029-second/161.59 mph run. Gadson defeated Jianna Evaristo (6.871 seconds/200.26 mph) in round two with a 6.862-seond/198.20 mph pass to advance to the semi-final round for the third race in a row. Trouble struck in the semis when Gadson’s motorcycle got out of the racing groove, forcing him to roll off the throttle and slow to 7.608 seconds at 124.27 mph in his matchup against Matt Smith (6.798 seconds/198.82 mph.
“We hurt a motor in the first round and after the engine swap, the tire spun on every run after that. We’re not sure why. In the semis against Smith, the tire spun hard off the starting line, and when it was done spinning, the bike moved toward the wall. I started correcting and then the wind caught me and pushed me closer to the wall. It was just a perfect storm, and I couldn’t gather it back. I would have liked to have beaten Matt, but it wasn’t in the cards this weekend,” Gadson said. “But I’ll certainly count the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge as my first ‘win’ in NHRA racing. It’s getting fun and I feel like I’m starting to be a player out there.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines predicted the hot, humid weather in Norwalk would improve as the weekend progressed to better suit the performance of team’s Hayabusas.
“We had a lot of humidity in the air during the last couple of qualifying sessions, which makes it hard to get the maximum performance out of our super-efficient Suzuki engines. We knew coming into this weekend the weather was going to change on Sunday, so we used those sessions as tests to try to learn some things and get better for the future,” Hines said. “The track conditions were incredibly good today, and we were able to take advantage of them. It was like the engine flipped a switch and Gaige rode like the champion he is. It’s just mind-boggling that we’ve been able to bring a motorcycle to the starting line 43 runs in a row and get a win light every time.”
After the sixth of 15 races in the 2024 season, Herrera and Gadson sit first and third in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings with 738 and 442 points, respectively.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team returns to action July 19-21 at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA.
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
