On a day filled with tracks records, Gaige Herrera set two in Pro Stock Motorcycle, powering to the provisional No. 1 position on Friday as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returned to Route 66 Raceway for the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.
Herrera laid waste to both ends of the track record in Chicago while also continuing his dominant season in Pro Stock Motorcycle, delivering a stunning run of 6.677 at 202.45 on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki. After winning the first two races of the season, Herrera kept up his torrid pace on Friday, just missing out on the quickest run in class history. But he stayed on track for his third straight No. 1 qualifier with an unbelievable run to kick off qualifying.
“I live about an hour away from here, so this is my home track and it’s really cool to be back here in Joliet,” Herrera said. “I’ve got a lot of friends and family here, so to go out here and be No. 1, it means a lot to me. I’ve been here many times to watch, but that was my first pass down the track, so do that on my first run was pretty cool. The people at the shop put in a lot of work and I’m just glad to be part of it.”
Chip Ellis is currently second with a 6.756 at 200.68 and Hector Arana Jr. took third after a run of 6.759 at 201.85. In the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, Herrera will take on Jianna Evaristo, while Angie Smith will race Chase Van Sant in the semifinal rematches from Gainesville.
Qualifying continues at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.677, 202.45; 2. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.756, 200.68; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.759, 201.85; 4. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.798, 198.47; 5. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.800, 201.43; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.812, 199.49; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.866, 193.99; 8. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.885, 190.89; 9. Chris Bostick, EBR, 6.915, 194.63; 10. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.927, 174.10; 11. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.928, 195.22; 12. John Hall, Buell, 6.948, 195.48; 13. Peggy Llewellyn, Suzuki, 6.975, 185.79; 14. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.073, 191.65; 15. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 9.371, 96.34; 16. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 10.537, 166.56. Not Qualified: 17. Jianna Evaristo, 11.754, 67.29; 18. Ryan Oehler, 15.052, 51.74.
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