On his quest for a third straight world championship, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera is off to a good start, going 6.745 at 200.20 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to take over the provisional No. 1 spot. Fresh off a U.S. Nationals victory and a regular-season championship, Herrera has big goals in mind for this weekend’s race at Maple Grove Raceway.
It remains the only track on the NHRA circuit where Herrera, a 26-time event winner, hasn’t won, something he hopes to change this weekend. His Friday went well, putting Herrera on track for his fifth No. 1 of the season.
“Reading has definitely defeated me the last two seasons,” Herrera said. “My best here is a semifinal, so my main goal this weekend is to go one round further and hopefully not leave here second in points like I have the last two years. This place is beautiful, the Koretsky family has done so much with it and I’m glad to be back. To leave here with a win and check that box would mean a lot.
“It’s a different atmosphere here — there are tons of fans and they love motorcycles. It’s not more pressure, it’s just a different vibe. It’s a fast track, I love racing here, but it’s been tough on me.”
Matt Smith is second after his run of 6.753 at 200.95 and Richard Gadson’s 6.763 at 200.92 puts him third.
Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.745, 200.20; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.753, 200.98; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.763, 201.46; 4. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.780, 201.49; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.806, 198.41; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.807, 197.13; 7. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.843, 198.58; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.853, 194.10; 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.857, 198.26; 10. John Hall, Beull, 6.868, 199.17; 11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.870, 194.55; 12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.871, 195.76; 13. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.905, 195.25; 14. Brandon Litten, Suzuki, 6.922, 193.24; 15. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 14.394, 52.09.
