For the first time, Richard Gadson is a winner in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, defeating teammate Gaige Herrera in the final round, taking the holeshot victory on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki with a run of 6.884 at 196.30. Herrera went a quicker 6.882, but Gadson’s stout .014 reaction time proved to be the difference at the finish line.
Gadson had fallen short in four previous trips to the final round, including this year at the four-wide race in Charlotte, but Sunday in Bristol belonged to the standout second-year rider. He defeated Charles Poskey and Chase Van Sant to reach the final round, holding off Herrera to claim his first victory. He had found success in qualifying and in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and Gadson was thrilled to collect his first Wally.
“The first thing is I’m exhausted. This has been hands down the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done I always knew I could do it. I really needed to win this for me,” Gadson said.
“I’m just not used to some of the mistakes I’ve made. I had to dig deep and remind myself of what I’m capable of. In some ways I feel like ‘Mr. Almost.’ I almost win. I almost won the Rookie of the Year, but not today. I just needed to make sure I did everything right on my end. Today, the motorcycle is not an excuse. We have three of them, and they’re all really good.”
Herrera reached the finals for the third time this year, thanks to round wins against Chris Bostick, Angie Smith and No. 1 qualifier Brayden Davis. Herrera also stayed in the points lead.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action June 20-22 with the fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Va.
ROUND ONE — Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.982, 194.24 def. Marc Ingwersen, 7.071, 190.81; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.897, 196.82 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.980, 193.13; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.960, 196.04 def. Ryan Oehler, Foul – Red Light; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.857, 197.13 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.136, 166.91; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.870, 198.99 def. John Hall, 6.969, 196.70; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.869, 196.53 def. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 7.153, 191.29; Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.831, 198.09 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS — Van Sant, 6.951, 196.76 def. M. Smith, 6.881, 199.46; Herrera, 6.883, 196.67 def. A. Smith, 6.967, 196.44; Davis, 6.870, 197.77 def. Evaristo, Foul – Red Light; Gadson, 6.898, 196.93 was unopposed;
SEMIFINALS — Gadson, 6.911, 192.33 def. Van Sant, Foul – Red Light; Herrera, 6.895, 196.59 def. Davis, Broke;
FINAL — Gadson, 6.884, 196.30 def. Herrera, 6.882, 196.24
Pro Stock Motorcycle Points
1. Gaige Herrera, 430; 2. Matt Smith, 384; 3. Richard Gadson, 346; 4. Chase Van Sant, 233; 5. Angie Smith, 205; 6. Steve Johnson, 189; 7. Jianna Evaristo, 187; 8. John Hall, 169; 9. Chris Bostick, 167; 10. Marc Ingwersen, 154.
