A month after winning his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle race, Richard Gadson would love to add another first this weekend and the second-year standout is on track to do so, claiming the top position through two sessions with a run of 6.702 at 200.77 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
The run put a significant distance between Gadson and the next-closest rider, a solid sign heading into the rest of the weekend. After winning in Bristol in early June, Gadson can pick up a No. 1 qualifier on Saturday, when more ideal conditions are expected. He’ll also try to pick up a victory in the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout.
First-round selections were made for Saturday’s GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout. Top seed Gaige Herrera called out Chris Bostick, while defending event winner Smith took Chase Van Sant. Gadson selected Jianna Evaristo to open the bonus race, setting the last matchup as Angie Smith against John Hall. The opening round of the Callout starts at 11:15 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the final of the bonus race at 4:15.
“I am a big advocate of taking small victories and this was one of them because I’ve never been a low qualifier before,” Gadson said. “Not only are we No. 1, but that was also the best run of my career. To be honest, I was a little disappointed because I wanted to make my first run in the 6.60s. I was mad for a second but it takes perspective, and I realized we did something really good.
“For tomorrow, I feel good about the [GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout] and my [first round] race against Jianna Evaristo. I don’t take anyone lightly and if you remember, she was the Queen of this track last year. I wasn’t completely happy with my staging routine today but I’ll clean that up for tomorrow.”
Matt Smith is currently second with a 6.740 at 200.26 and John Hall is third with a run of 6.759 at 197.28.
Qualifying continues at 11:45 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge at Sonoma Raceway.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.702, 200.77; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.740, 200.26; 3. John Hall, Beull, 6.759, 197.28; 4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.761, 198.82; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.780, 198.09; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.860, 196.36; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.916, 196.24; 8. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.933, 194.04; 9. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 7.014, 191.76; 10. Brad Hawkes, Suzuki, 7.339, 181.28; 11. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 7.600, 184.12; 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, broke.
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