Photos by Ron Lewis, Burghardt Photography
Gaige Herrera delivered another clutch performance on drag racing’s biggest stage, using a .003 reaction time to defeat teammate Brayden Davis on a holeshot in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final at the U.S. Nationals.
Herrera’s 6.834 seconds at 199.32 mph in his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines entry held off Davis’ quicker 6.799 at 198.93. It marked Herrera’s fifth victory of the season, his second straight U.S. Nationals win and the 26th of his career.
The two-time defending world champion added another milestone, clinching the regular-season title and securing the No. 1 seed for the Countdown to the Championship. He will enter the playoffs first in points for the third consecutive year.
“It’s very exciting, especially to get a holeshot win like that,” Herrera said. “To get back-to-back wins here in the U.S. Nationals is very special to me and it was crazy. I mean, I almost was in the sand because I was more excited and cheering than being on the brakes.”
Herrera qualified No. 1 and reset the track elapsed-time record twice in qualifying before racing through Chris Bostick, Angie Smith and Matt Smith to reach the final. The Indy triumph came one year after his first U.S. Nationals victory, where he was perfect on the starting line with a .000 reaction time.
“All our bikes under the Vance & Hines tent, it was awesome to have a Vance & Hines final there,” Herrera said. “Our rental bike was in the final against me, so that’s even a testament to show what kind of program we offer.”
Despite his success, Herrera insisted his rise has not been easy. He credited his parents for instilling discipline and composure during pressure situations.
“I wouldn’t say it’s easy. It’s pretty nerve-wracking, honestly,” Herrera said. “I have a very strong level head on my shoulders, I feel, and I thank my parents for that. Between motocross racing, I’ve been in a lot of different motorsports situations where it had to take a lot of patience and confidence in yourself.”
He acknowledged mistakes, including a miscue against Matt Smith that could have ended his day if not for Smith’s red-light start. “It definitely has not been easy,” Herrera said. “It’s always nerve-wracking, especially when I know what kind of bike’s in the other lane, caliber-wise.”
Asked if this year’s victory meant more than last season’s, Herrera said the competition has intensified. “Every win feels like a new win to me,” he said. “I feel like the field’s getting tighter and tighter, which I love. I’d rather the field be tight like Pro Stock car. This is definitely a big one here at Indy. It always is.”
Herrera said racing at Indianapolis carries special meaning.
“This is a home race for Vance & Hines, and it’s pretty close for me now that I live out here in Indiana,” he said. “This is the one all of us as racers grew up watching. We always wanted to come race at Indy.”
He also took pride in proving the strength of the team’s “rental” bike, which reached the final with Davis.
“For us to have my championship bike in the final and then the rental bike — and the rental bike actually outrunning it — that just goes to show our bikes are at a level playing field,” Herrera said.
Davis, competing in just his fourth national event, reached his first career final with wins over Dystany Spurlock, Hector Arana Jr. and Richard Gadson. Gadson sits second in points entering the Countdown.
Herrera praised Davis’ emergence. “He’s young but he’s really good. He’s going to be a force to reckon with if he finds some good funding to stick with it and go through the Countdown,” Herrera said. “Honestly, he’ll be a thorn in my side and Richard’s and everyone else’s. He’s going to be really good.”
Herrera admitted to occasional struggles with self-confidence, particularly at the starting line. “I feel like I’ve had more of an issue on that on the starting line than anything with my lights,” he said. “Sometimes I go up there and it gets to the point where, man, it’s time to retire while I’m on my high because you just can’t do it.”
But Herrera said his love for the sport always prevails. “At the end of the day, I just go up there and do what I love to do,” he said. “I don’t mind if I win or lose. I think I was more excited when Richard won and beat me in Bristol, honestly. I love seeing my peers and good friends out there racing doing what they love.”
In the final, Herrera admitted to rolling into the staging beams deeper than usual to gain an edge. “It’s something I did on purpose,” he said. “We make so many repetitive laps on these bikes. We know exactly where we are. So I definitely rolled in there in the final and you either live or die by the sword. Luckily it came out on the good side and I needed it because Brayden definitely had the ET.”
Herrera now turns his attention to the Countdown, chasing a third consecutive world championship. With another U.S. Nationals crown and the regular-season title secured, he enters the stretch run as the rider to beat.
