| July 2, 2024
The Gaige Herrera count continued this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio. The reigning NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion won the Summit Racing Nationals, June 28-30, to extend his record win streak to 11 straight races. Herrera defeated Denso Buell’s Matt Smith in the final round to remain perfect for the 2024 season and extend his lead in the standings.
Gaige Herrera didn’t hold back after setting the all-time consecutive NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle record. He won for an 11th straight time in Norwalk.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos NHRA
Herrera, who hasn’t lost a round since the Reading, Pennsylvania, event last September, finished the rout with a 6.70 elapsed time at 200.77 mph. Smith was close but didn’t receive an elapsed time after he hit a timing marker near the finish line. Herrera has now won 17 of 21 races since joining the Vance & Hines team in 2023.
“I have an awesome team behind me, and they deserve more of the credit than I do,” Herrera said. “I get the spotlight, but all in all, it’s them. It shows their hard work. It’s just been a lot accomplished in a short time, and it’s hard to take it all in, but I’m enjoying it. It’s unbelievable, but it makes me feel like all my hard work is paying off. I’ve always wanted to be here since I was a little kid.”
While Herrera has dominated this year, there have been times when he’s appeared vulnerable, particularly in qualifying. In Norwalk, Herrera was just third quickest in qualifying, behind the husband-and-wife duo of Matt and Angie Smith.
For all his qualifying struggles, Herrera was incredible during Sunday’s final eliminations. To open the day, he set the Summit Motorsports Park track elapsed time record with 6.698 at 200.95 in round one. Herrera also scored victories against Trick Tools Suzuki’s Chase Van Sant and John Hall.
The final round pitted the two biggest rivals in the class, Herrera and Smith, who have battled both on and off the track, trading their share of verbal barbs. Both riders took their time staging for the final round in an attempt to gain a holeshot advantage. In the end, Herrera also got off the starting line first, extending the lead to the finish line.
In the aftermath of his victory, Herrera also extended his well wishes to NHRA Funny Car legend John Force, who was critically injured in an accident last weekend in Richmond, Virginia.
“I grew up [in California], one city over from John Force,” Herrera said. “You grow up watching John, hearing about him, to have my name in that same area—it’s still John Force, you can never compare yourself to anyone like that, but to have my name mentioned in the history books like that, it’s incredible.”
Herrera had to knock off Matt Smith (pictured) in the final before winning for the 11th straight time.
Smith earned his second trip to the final round this year and the 77th in his career following wins against Wesley Wells and Herrera’s Vance & Hines teammate, Richard Gadson.
The next event for the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class is the Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Washington, July 19-21.
2024 NHRA Norwalk Pro Stock Motorcycle Results
FINAL
- Gaige Herrera (Suz)
- Matt Smith (Bue)
