| September 4, 2024
Following an epic record-setting win streak to start the season, RevZilla Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera came to the NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 31-September 2, riding a two-race losing streak. Still, he wasn’t about to let a chance to win the sport’s biggest and most prestigious drag race pass him by.
Gaige Herrera wrapped up the NHRA’s regular season championship.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos: Matt Polito
Herrera won for the seventh time in 2024 and finished the regular season as the Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion following a final-round win against Denso Buell’s Angie Smith. Herrera left the starting line with a perfect reaction time and extended his lead to win the 18th race of his career with a 6.762 elapsed time.
“This race is very special for me. Two years ago, I made my debut here,” Herrera said. “Two years ago, [crew chief] Andrew Hines had Covid and was sitting on his couch. He didn’t even know my name until I made my first pass here.”
Winning the U.S. Nationals was about the only thing Herrera didn’t accomplish last year, as he cruised to the season championship with a record 11-win campaign.
“For me to be able to get this win, I feel like this was the biggest monkey of all on my back,” Herrera said. “Last year, I had the simplest part fail, which cost me [a win]. To get the win here, even though I won the championship last year, I feel like this almost surpasses that.
“This ranks at the top, all the stuff that I’ve done as far as creating history or beating [Pro Stock legend] Bob Glidden’s record—throughout my years, I’m probably going to remember this over all of that. This is one everyone wants to win. It’s the Super Bowl of drag racing.
The U.S. Nationals presents a unique challenge since it’s the only race on the tour that includes five qualifying rounds and is contested over four days. This year, rapidly changing weather and track conditions tested even the best NHRA crews, but Herrera’s team was able to adapt, and by the time final eliminations began on Monday, he had the quickest bike in the field.
Herrera qualified first and then ran consistent 6.70s in his wins against Wes Wells, Seattle winner Chase Van Sant, and his Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson. Herrera also made the best run of the event with a 6.722 in round one to help complete the rout.
“We had to deal with a rules change last month that added 15 pounds to our Suzuki and making adjustments isn’t as simple as it sounds,” Herrera said. “We tested and tried to learn where the best place was to put the weight and how to tune the bike. That’s where Andrew Hines shines. He was determined to get this bike figured out and it took us a while, but we did it.”
Smith’s weekend got off to a rough start as she struggled to learn a new chassis. During qualifying, she experienced a brake failure and wound up in the sand trap. Although she wasn’t injured and her bike was not seriously damaged, the team had to sacrifice a qualifying run.
Angie Smith made it to the final.
Despite the drama, Smith reached the final round for the first time this season and the eighth time in her career thanks to round wins against Steve Johnson, Marc Ingwersen and her husband, Matt.
The Countdown to the Championship playoffs begins at the next event in Reading, Pennsylvania, on September 12-15, and Herrera will be the points leader with Matt Smith in second.
For more information, visit NHRA.com
