Pro Stock Motorcycle’s John Hall waited nearly 12 years between wins, but the veteran got the job done on Sunday in Norwalk, chasing down Richard Gadson in the championship round with a run of 6.880 at 196.67 on his American Rebel Beer Buell at 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park.
Gadson left first with a standout .021 reaction time, but Hall had enough power to slip by at the finish line, recording his first victory since the U.S. Nationals at Indy in 2013.
It’s the veteran’s third career win and this one will certainly be special. After qualifying third and posting a series of solid runs in qualifying, Hall defeated Wesley Wells, Marc Ingwersen and points leader Gaige Herrera to reach the finals. Herrera went red to hand the victory to Hall, who then got the best of the second Vance & Hines rider in Gadson to get the win.
“It’s special because you never know if you’re going to get another one. I won twice in 2013, including the U.S. Nationals,” Hall said. “You know, 12 years goes by and you just realize how hard it is to get one of these. Matt Smith Racing is one of the hardest working teams out here and they get you to the winner’s circle if you do your job.
“I ride the bike and he [Matt Smith] tells me to do my job. I hit the button, cut a good light, and that’s my mindset. But they tune the bike, they’re constantly tuning the bike for the weather and it paid off.”
To reach the final round for the third time this season, Gadson took down Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith and No. 1 qualifier Matt Smith. Herrera leaves with the points lead, holding a 96-point advantage over M. Smith.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action with the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals on July 18-20 at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.
ROUND ONE — Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.908, 197.42 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.924, 195.22; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.865, 198.23 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.924, 192.85; Marc Ingwersen, 6.963, 191.73 def. Ron Tornow, Foul – Red Light; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.844, 197.97 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.935, 193.79; John Hall, 6.862, 196.67 def. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 17.653, 82.67; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.833, 197.83 def. Odolph Daniels, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.810, 200.41 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS — Hall, 6.883, 197.68 def. Ingwersen, 6.985, 192.66; Gadson, 6.847, 197.68 def. A. Smith, 7.001, 173.36; Herrera, 6.864, 198.26 was unopposed; M. Smith, 6.869, 199.29 def. Evaristo, 6.904, 196.67;
SEMIFINALS — Hall, 6.956, 194.10 def. Herrera, Foul – Red Light; Gadson, 6.929, 195.59 def. M. Smith, 6.942, 196.27;
FINAL — Hall, 6.880, 196.87 def. Gadson, 6.967, 195.19.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Gaige Herrera, 628; 2. Matt Smith, 532; 3. Richard Gadson, 517; 4. Angie Smith, 356; 5. John Hall, 327; 6. Chase Van Sant, 296; 7. Steve Johnson, 278; 8. Jianna Evaristo, 272; 9. Chris Bostick, 250; 10. Marc Ingwersen, 237.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.
