Gaige Herrera looked like the rider everyone remembered from his record-setting 2023 season on Saturday, putting together three dominant passes to claim the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout at Sonoma Raceway.
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The two-time world champion never gave the rest of the eight-rider field much of an opportunity, riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to three consecutive 6.60-second runs before defeating teammate Richard Gadson in the final to earn the $25,000 winner’s prize.
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Herrera’s winning pass of 6.689 seconds at 202.15 mph capped a nearly flawless day after opening eliminations with the quickest run of the event, a 6.665-second blast at 202.76 mph against Steve Johnson.
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“It felt like I was back in 2023, you know,” Herrera said. “We burned the clutch up on the first run, but after that, it was like 2023 where we had the fastest bike in the field. Previously, I had not had good luck at this racetrack, so this is a big win.”
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The victory marked Herrera’s second career All-Star Callout title after winning the inaugural event in 2023. More importantly, it provided a reminder that the rider who has dominated the category over the past three seasons remains the benchmark entering Sunday’s eliminations.
Herrera said the team’s confidence began before the first bike ever rolled to the starting line Saturday morning.
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“We came here with a brand new motor, broke it in, and everything just clicked,” Herrera said. “I came to the track this morning, and I said, ‘I’m going to win today.’ That’s just the mentality you come here with and it worked out in my favor. I haven’t had that feeling in a long time and to come out here and get the win, that’s what means the most to all of us.”
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His semifinal matchup against Maryland winner Angie Smith proved no different than the opening round. Herrera responded with another 6.68-second pass, running 6.687 at 202.45 mph to advance.
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Gadson earned his way into the final by defeating Chase Van Sant and Jianna Evaristo, setting up another all-Vance & Hines championship round between teammates who have become familiar rivals.
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The final began with Gadson gaining the advantage on the starting line thanks to a .028 reaction time. Herrera quickly erased that deficit, chasing down his teammate before pulling away at the finish line.
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“We were really quick, so I felt like I was the only one that could screw it up, but that didn’t happen,” Herrera said. “I gave away the last two finals to Richard, so I wasn’t about to give him a third.”
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Herrera now turns his attention to Sunday’s eliminations carrying momentum that has largely been missing this season. If Saturday was any indication, the rest of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field may once again be chasing the rider who set the standard two years ago.
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