Gaige Herrera will have first choice when the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout returns to Sonoma Raceway, putting the two-time world champion in control of the opening-round matchups for one of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ richest specialty events.
The eight-rider shootout returns Saturday, July 18, during the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge. The winner will collect $25,000 in the one-day competition, with riders making test runs Friday before racing exclusively on Saturday.
Herrera earned the top seed after another strong season and will make the first selection in the callout format. Defending world champion Richard Gadson picks second, followed by defending event winner Matt Smith, Angie Smith, John Hall, Jianna Evaristo, Chase Van Sant and Steve Johnson.
The format has become one of the weekend’s showcase specialty events, sometimes creating more drama from the callout protion than the actual racing itself.
Gadson has momentum after his Pro Stock Motorcycle victory in Norwalk. He also returns with unfinished business after last year’s Callout ended with a heartbreaking mistake on the starting line.
“I remember every pass and I remember every loss,” Gadson said. “Last year, in Sonoma, I had the best bike. I went .001 red in the finals to Matt. I’m remembering that. So, I’m going to go there and the lights are hopefully going to be green. Right now, I feel like I have a really good bike.”
Smith is expected to return after missing the past two national events while recovering from surgery. The six-time world champion has won the past two GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callouts and is seeking a third consecutive title.
Whether Smith gets the opportunity to choose an opponent could depend on Herrera and Gadson, who may elect to challenge the defending Callout champion before he has a chance to make his own selection.
The event schedule places all three rounds on Saturday. First-round pairings begin at 11:15 a.m. PT, followed by the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. and the championship round at 3:30 p.m.
FS1 will televise the Callout beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Gadson believes his recent performance gives him another opportunity to contend for the specialty race title despite acknowledging outright speed has not always been his strongest asset.
“I’m not known for having the fastest motorcycle,” Gadson said. “But I have a really good motorcycle and when I’m on, I’m on. You have to get there in front of me. So, to go to Sonoma for a lot of money, I feel good about it. I feel like we’re in a good window right now and I got a shot at the All-Star Callout, so we’re going to give it a try.”
