Richard Gadson got the best of Matt Smith in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Pro Stock Motorcycle, going an impressive 6.744 at 201.01 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
It’s his second victory in the specialty race and sent the young standout to second in qualifying. Gadson was thrilled with the opportunity to take on Smith after a disappointing loss to him in the Callout in Sonoma.
“This was my first shot at him [Smith] since Sonoma, so I wanted to win that a little bit more than normal. I knew he’d probably do something at the start line. I didn’t know what it was going to be. I didn’t care what he did, so this one that one was all business,” Herrera said.
“It’s always a pleasure to race Matt. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. We have a lot of back-and-forth banter, but he’s not a six-time champ for no reason. You’ve got to kind of savor it because it can go the other way at any moment.”
Gaige Herrera stayed No. 1 with Friday’s run of 6.739 at 200.98, while Brayden Davis is third with a 6.762 at 199.64.
Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.739, 200.98; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.744, 201.01; 3. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.762, 199.64; 4. John Hall, Beull, 6.775, 197.42; 5. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.779, 199.88; 6. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.817, 199.29; 7. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.835, 197.86; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.837, 196.10; 9. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.841, 198.67; 10. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.842, 198.79; 11. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.863, 196.42; 12. Dystany Spurlock, Buell, 6.867, 197.25; 13. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.883, 196.50; 14. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.888, 195.73; 15. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.899, 195.19; 16. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.970, 196.04.
Not Qualified: 17. Geno Scali, 7.156, 189.12; 18. Charles Poskey, 7.193, 189.55; 19. Wesley Wells, 7.233, 185.92.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE:
ROUND ONE — Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.766, 200.35 def. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.842, 198.79; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.790, 199.64 def. John Hall, 6.792, 200.14;
FINAL — R. Gadson, 6.744, 201.01 def. M. Smith, 7.003, 158.76.
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