Life can change in a hurry.

A year ago, Gaige Herrera was asking for any help he could get to keep his dream alive in racing Pro Stock Motorcycle with Karen Stoffer. 

"As much as I hate to ask," the Facebook post from Herrera read. "Anyone interested in partnering/helping out for the last 2 NHRA races of the season? Vegas this weekend and Pomona in 2 weeks? Will be featured on Fox with hundreds of thousands of viewers and spectators at each event. Next season is looking very promising as well, not a full season at the moment unless I find some funding."

Then Herrera got the ultimate invitation to join the band. In January 2023, Herrera was named a rider for the iconic Vance & Hines team, replacing Angelle Sampey.

On Sunday at the NHRA Nevada Nationals, Herrera all but clinched the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship, beating teammate Eddie Krawiec in the final round and denying him for the fourth time his career 50th national-event title.

Herrera left the starting line second, but quickly reeled in Krawiec's .013 starting-line advantage en route to a 6.755, 198.32 to 6.847, 198.70 win.

"It was a fun final," Herrera said. "We went up ther,e and I had a feeling he wasn't going to stage first so I just sat there and sat there and then he whapped the throttle against me. I did it back. Once he did the second time, I was like, 'Oh, he is definitely not going in first.' 

"So I just rolled it in and decided to go first. It knocked me off my game a little. I had a [.060] light. He shook the tire and it felt like a very good and smooth pass. But I didn't expect it to go faster than what we qualified with. So we're happy with that and basically, after this weekend, once I go to Pomona and basically break the beams, everyone says, it's a done deal, and that's very exciting."

Herrera entered Sunday's eliminations in traditional fashion from the No. 1 qualifier position and virtually lived in his own zip code throughout the event. Despite his combination being assessed a five-pound weight penalty, Herrera was .082 quicker than the quickest non-Vance & Hines bike.

Herrera ran a 6.786, 198.41 on a first-round solo when Angie Smith was a no-show. He remained in the 6.70s with a 6.795, 196.93. to beat Marc Ingwersen. Herrera had his slowest run of the day in the semis with a 6.815, 196.85 to beat Jerry Savoie. 

"This race was really emotional to me," Herrera said. "I have a lot of family and friends here. I had a stellar bike all day. I think, what was it, the semis against Jerry Savoie, I knew I had to be on the tree. It was a .22 and I actually short-shifted four-five [gear], and I got worried I could hear him right there the whole time. So I messed up there, but luckily Andrew [Hines] and Vance & Hines power basically saved my butt on that."

For his part, Krawiec stopped Stoffer, Steve Johnson, and Jianna Evaristo. 

"All in all, all day today it was a little bit of a challenge with the headwind. I know the E.T. doesn't really show that, but riding wise it was," Herrera admitted. "You definitely could feel it. I had a very good bike all day and it was awesome being in the final against Ed. That's the third Vance & Hines final for us in a row, and that's awesome."

Herrera understands it would take a monumental collapse on his end, and a miracle on someone else's, for the title to not be clinched. 

"Honestly, I can't [imagine the feeling of clinching] because it doesn't feel real," Herrera explained. "Like I told Andrew, I said, "I haven't even woke up yet from the beginning of the season."

And appealing for sponsor and crew help seems like ages ago for Herrera.