| June 11, 2024
Gaige Herrera’s history-making season continued in Bristol, Tennessee, June 7-9, as the reigning NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion rode his RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki to a final-round win over Scrappers Suzuki’s Jianna Evaristo. In the process, Herrera set an important record with his ninth straight win, breaking a tie with two-wheel legend Dave Schultz. Herrera has also won 35 straight rounds of eliminations, tying the mark set by 10-time Pro Stock car champion Bob Glidden.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos: Matt Polito
Gaige Herrera won for a record ninth straight time. His latest success happened in Bristol, Tennessee.
“To be mentioned with Dave Schultz and Bob Glidden, it’s a lot to take in,” Herrera said. “It’s obviously real, but it doesn’t feel real, what’s been accomplished in such a small time. I’m enjoying the ride and trying to look at every little milestone that passes. As a kid, I never would have thought I would be in this position or have my name in the history books. It gets emotional sometimes when I think about it.”
Herrera’s latest win was not his typical dominant performance. He struggled a bit during qualifying and landed in the number-five spot, well off the pace set by leader Matt Smith. By the time he reached the final, Herrera found his groove with a 6.818 elapsed time at 198.17 mph to easily cover Evaristo’s 6.861.
Herrera also defeated defending Bristol Champion Steve Johnson, John Hall and low-qualifier Smith to advance to the final round and maintain his perfect 2024 season. Herrera’s victory over Smith was the most talked-about race of the weekend in Bristol. He won with a 6.825, securing a slight advantage over Smith’s 6.824.
“The [Smith race] was probably the highlight of my career so far,” Herrera said. “Matt was running well all weekend. What a day. And the final against Jianna, I always love racing her, and I’m so happy for her. She’s been improving round by round and pass by pass, and to get the win over her is awesome. Not only that, to have essentially two young guns in the final is very cool.”
Jianna Evaristo made it to the final but ended up being another one of Herrera’s many victims.
Evaristo enjoyed her best day in NHRA competition since her shocking victory at the 2019 season finale in Pomona, California. That win could easily be attributed to good fortune, but her appearance in the Bristol final proves it was no fluke. Evaristo rode to solid wins against Marc Ingwersen, Chase Van Sant and Herrera’s Vance & Hines teammate, Richard Gadson.
“Our team felt really good headed into this weekend after learning a lot in testing,” Evaristo said. “We knew that some of the adjustments we made were going to help us move in the right direction and qualifying in the top half of the field confirmed that for us. Going so many rounds in eliminations was a huge boost of both confidence and motivation, especially with all of the incredible fans in the stands supporting us.”
ROUND ONE: Hector Arana Jr, 6.868, 198.17 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.896, 195.11; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.871, 196.53 def. Marc Ingwersen, Broke – No Show; John Hall, 6.876, 195.96 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.813, 197.91 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.922, 192.82; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 195.45 def. Ron Tornow, 6.920, 195.03; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.860, 196.96 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 8.130, 119.97; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.807, 199.61 def. Ryan Oehler, 7.012, 194.24;
QUARTERFINALS: Evaristo, 7.115, 161.19 def. Van Sant, Foul – Red Light; Gadson, 6.876, 195.87 def. Arana Jr, 6.874, 197.68; Herrera, 6.829, 197.31 def. Hall, 6.866, 197.45; M. Smith, 6.817, 198.82 was unopposed;
SEMIFINALS: Evaristo, 6.898, 196.50 def. Gadson, 6.916, 194.80; Herrera, 6.825, 198.12 def. M. Smith, 6.824, 198.82;
FINAL: Herrera, 6.818, 198.17 def. Evaristo, 6.861, 197.94.
2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship Points Standings
- Gaige Herrera (493/4 wins)
- Matt Smith (319)
- Richard Gadson (266)
- John Hall (258)
- Angie Smith (239)
- Chase Van Sant (238)
- LE Tonglet (233)
- Hector Arana Jr. (193)
- Jianna Evaristo (189)
- Steve Johnson (153)
For more information, visit NHRA.com
