Gaige Herrera etched his name in NHRA history on Sunday as he became the first rider in Pro Stock Motorcycle history – and the first NHRA competitor since 2009 – to complete a sweep of the three-race NHRA Western Swing. He clinched victory at Sonoma Raceway during the 35th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Justin Ashley (Top Fuel) and J.R. Todd (Funny Car) also secured wins at the 12th race of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

With history on the line, the Pro Stock Motorcycle final round was anticlimactic. The point leader Herrera recorded a time of 6.775 seconds at 198.12 mph on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki, defeating defending world champion Matt Smith, who encountered mechanical issues at the starting line. 

Herrera, who secured the No. 1 qualifying position, has now won six times this season in a dominant display. He achieved back-to-back wins in Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma on Sunday.

To reach the finals, Herrera emerged victorious against Ryan Oehler, Marc Ingwersen, and Karen Stoffer, showcasing an outstanding performance over the past three races, which marked the first time the Pro Stock Motorcycle competed in the full Western Swing. Additionally, Herrera claimed victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge and the Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout, becoming only the eighth competitor in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history to achieve a sweep of the Western Swing.

“I can’t even put this into words,” Herrera said. “To be able to do this and accomplish what we have over the past three weeks, it’s incredible. The Denver win gave us the momentum and drive to keep pushing forward for the sweep, and to achieve it, I never thought I would join that part of history.

"I try to focus on the big picture, but as soon as I'm on the starting line, I'm focused on what I need to do. The class is tough, but I have an exceptional machine right now. The team has been supportive, and today I was able to do my job. I'm not someone who shows much emotion, but when that win light turned on, I was screaming and yelling in my helmet. To achieve all of this, I'm left speechless. I'm not very talkative to begin with, but this feeling is just incredible."

Smith, appearing in his second final of the season and the 73rd of his career, earned victories against Lance Bonham, Steve Johnson, and Eddie Krawiec to secure his spot in the championship round.

In the Top Fuel category, Ashley regained the points lead with his fifth win of the season. He outran Antron Brown in the finals, completing his run in his Phillips Connect/Toyota dragster with a time of 3.778 seconds at 328.78 mph. Ashley celebrated his first career victory at Sonoma Raceway, marking the 10th win of his career and providing an uplifting conclusion to the Western Swing.

On his path to the finals, Ashley triumphed over Doug Kalitta, No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock, and Josh Hart, ultimately defeating Brown by an incredibly close margin of .001 seconds in a thrilling side-by-side battle. This victory ensures that Ashley enters the final three races of the regular season with a 32-point lead over Steve Torrence.

“It was tough out there,” Ashley remarked. “The competition is so tough right now in Top Fuel, it feels like you're facing off in four final rounds every time. The margin of error is minimal, and it takes a true team effort to secure a win like this. I was delighted to win such a closely contested race against Antron, which is the perfect way to conclude a weekend at Sonoma Raceway."

He added, "We had a fantastic car on race day. This team remains composed, and they have a strong grasp of the car. We focus on what needs to be done each time, and that speaks volumes about the culture and leadership within the team. We have several championship-winning individuals on this team, and that makes a significant difference."
Brown reached his third final this season and the 133rd of his career after defeating Mike Salinas, defending world champion Brittany Force, and Torrence.

In Funny Car, J.R. Todd had a memorable weekend at Sonoma Raceway, walking away with a clean sweep. In the final round, Todd emerged victorious over Chad Green. The former world champion also ended a 52-race winless streak on Sunday, completing his run in the DHL Toyota GR Supra with a time of 3.972 seconds at 322.81 mph. Todd, whose last win before Sunday came at the 2021 season-opener in Gainesville, secured his 20th career win and his fourth at Sonoma Raceway. 

Todd started the day with round wins against Blake Alexander, No. 1 qualifier Bob Tasca III and points leader Matt Hagan, finishing the day with a victory against Green. After coming close to a victory on the Western Swing, including a runner-up last weekend in Seattle, Todd was thrilled to close the deal in Sonoma and get Kalitta Motorsports back on the winning track. 

“It’s been a long road to get here,” Todd said. “We’re getting a good handle on it and the consistency is coming around. When you’re going down the track like we are, it just gives everyone more confidence. I keep saying Funny Car is the toughest class in the sport and it’s definitely not easy. When you go two-plus years without winning, you don’t know if it’s going to happen again. 

“This is my favorite track on the tour. I love coming here and anytime you can win here, it’s special. I caught myself going down the track, I don’t think I’ve had the gas pushed down that hard. I was trying to shove it through the floorboard. I was just wanting those win lights to come on and when that win light comes on in the final, it’s just instant relief. To come back and win a week after a runner-up (in Seattle), it’s just awesome.” 

Green advanced to his first career final round on Sunday, knocking off Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee and back-to-back world champ Ron Capps. Hagan leaves the Western Swing with a 19-point lead over Capps. 

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action on Aug. 11-13 with the 34th annual Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan.