With a new sponsor and the addition of another acclaimed rider, the defending champs appear to be getting even stronger.
2023 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera will be paired with Richard Gadson on the RevZilla/Mission/Vance & Hines Suzuki team in the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Four-time world champ and longtime V&H rider Eddie Krawiec will serve as crew chief.
Herrera won a record-breaking 11 races in the 2023 NHRA Pro Stock series and earned his first world championship while posting a win-loss record of 50-4 over the course of the season. Herrera’s title was the 14th overall NHRA championship for Vance & Hines as he joins Krawiec (four titles) and brothers Andrew (six titles) and Matt Hines (three titles) in earning championships on V&H machinery.
“Even though we had an exceptional year in 2023, I know that next season will be more difficult,” Herrera said. “The rest of the class will be gunning for me, and it definitely won’t be easy. But, with that being said, I also know I’ve got a team behind me that never stops working, and it’s a team that has proven time and time again to be the best in the championship. We will show up ready to go, and I’m looking forward to defending my title.”
Gadson, meanwhile, will be embarking on his first full season of NHRA Pro Stock racing after earning titles in XDA, NHDRO, SEMDRA and ManCup. The 37-year-old will benefit greatly by the fact that Krawiec is hanging up his leathers and will become his full-time crew chief alongside Andrew Hines.
“I am honored to join Vance & Hines, a team with a winning history and a commitment to pushing the limits,” Gadson said. “I believe that together we can be successful, and I am excited to contribute my skills and experience to the team. There were moments when reaching my goal of racing an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle seemed impossible. My road was filled with twists, turns, and doubts, but knowing Eddie for many years and also finding ways to stay involved with the class made it possible.”
“We are thrilled about the next chapter for our NHRA racing program,” said Vance & Hines Motorsports owner Terry Vance. “With Andrew [Hines] and Eddie’s [Krawiec] expertise, Gaige’s [Herrera] recent dominance, and Richard’s [Gadson] move to Pro Stock, we have strengthened our position in the competitive world of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing. We also have a new title sponsor in RevZilla and continued support from Mission and Suzuki for 2024. I can’t wait to see what Gaige and Richard can do on our RevZilla/Mission/Suzuki Hayabusas.”
The NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Season gets underway at the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, March 7-10.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Check back daily.
