It was nearly a picture-perfect weekend for Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Richard Gadson at Texas Motorplex, who extended his points lead by defeating rookie Brayden Davis in the final round with a run of 6.796 at 200.37 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It handed Gadson his fourth victory in what has been a dream season for the second-year rider, as he also extended his points lead to 72 points over Gaige Herrera.
Gadson, who qualified No. 1, was in command all weekend at Texas Motorplex, defeating Lance Bonham, Clayton Howey and Matt Smith en route to the final round. When Davis beat a red-lighting Herrera in the semifinals, it opened the door for Gadson to extend his points lead and he did just that, unleashing an .011 reaction time and rolling to his first career Dallas win.
It’s Gadson’s second win in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs as Gadson has turned into a standout performer in pressure situations.
“You watch this happen for other people and you want it for yourself, but I try to live in the moment. I try to remember: This is the stuff you watched Gaige [Herrera] do, stuff you watched Andrew [Hines] and Eddie [Krawiec] do, and you’re doing it right now,” Gadson said. “I just try to be present mentally in that moment and just say you’re living that dream.
“I woke up this morning and I looked at the ladder and said, ‘It’s going to be a long day’ because I know everybody’s tough right now. I’m just trying to keep my foot on the gas and hold on for their life. I’m extremely motivated right now. I feel like I have something to prove.”
Davis advanced to his third final round in his debut season thanks to victories against Ryan Oehler, John Hall and Herrera.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Oct. 30-Nov. 2 with the 25th annual Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
