Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera was again clutch when it counted, using an incredible .003 reaction time to defeat teammate Brayden Davis in the final round on a holeshot. Herrera’s 6.834 at 199.32 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines held up thanks to the stellar reaction time, holding off Davis’ 6.799 at 198.93 at the finish line.
It was another picture-perfect weekend for the back-to-back world champion, who qualified No. 1 and set the track E.T. record twice in qualifying. Herrera had seemed vulnerable earlier this summer, but put an emphatic stamp on the regular season, defeating Chris Bostick, Angie Smith and Matt Smith to reach the final round. On drag racing’s grandest stage, Herrera then hung on for a second straight year at Indy.
“It’s very exciting, you know, especially to get a holeshot win like that,” Herrera said. “To get back-to-back wins here in the U.S. Nationals is very special to me and it was crazy. I mean, I almost was in the sand because I was more excited and cheering than being on the brakes.
“I have a strong level head on my shoulders, and I must thank my parents for that. It has not been easy. You know, it’s always nerve-wracking, especially when I know what kind of bikes are in the other lane, caliber-wise.”
Herrera also added another first in his spectacular run, winning the regular-season title and taking the points lead into the playoffs. He’ll open the Countdown to the Championship in first for a third straight year as he seeks a third consecutive world title.
Davis reached the final round for the first time in his career after defeating Dystany Spurlock, Hector Arana Jr. and Richard Gadson, who enters the Countdown to the Championship second in points.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opens the Countdown to the Championship playoffs with the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish on Sept. 11-14 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.
ROUND ONE — Angie Smith, Buell, 6.838, 197.86 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.886, 197.22; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.833, 196.67 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.936, 193.65; Hector Arana Jr, 6.872, 197.65 def. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 7.128, 195.22; John Hall, 6.821, 185.41 def. Marc Ingwersen, Broke – No Show; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.776, 199.97 def. Ryan Oehler, Foul – Red Light; Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.770, 200.17 def. Dystany Spurlock, Buell, 6.877, 196.85; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.744, 200.80 def.
Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.905, 196.33; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.744, 200.65 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.895, 195.00;
QUARTERFINALS — M. Smith, 6.825, 199.14 def. Hall, 6.844, 198.82; Davis, Broke def. Arana Jr, Foul – Red Light; Herrera, 6.778, 199.79 def. A. Smith, 6.853, 197.33; Gadson, 6.824, 199.70 def. Van Sant, Foul – Red Light;
SEMIFINALS — Davis, 6.813, 199.11 def. Gadson, 6.867, 198.64; Herrera, 6.825, 199.02 def. M. Smith, Foul – Red Light;
FINAL — Herrera, 6.834, 199.32 def. Davis, 6.799, 198.93.
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