| October 1, 2024
RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera hasn’t lost many races this season, but after going winless in the last two NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle races, the defending World Champion found himself in an unfamiliar spot, in second place in the championship standings.
Gaige Herrera is back at the top of the Championship leaderboard after the NHRA Midwest Nationals. Photo: Matt Polito
By Kevin McKenna
Herrera, who set a record earlier this season with 11 consecutive victories, quickly righted the ship at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, just east of St. Louis, Illinois, on September 27-29, returning to the winning groove with his eighth victory of the season. Herrera is back in the lead after riding to a 6.805 elapsed time at 198.12 mph to defeat the 6.868 of Trick Tools Suzuki’s Chase Van Sant. Herrera also qualified number one and made four consistent runs during final eliminations to earn the 19th win of his career and his second straight win in the St. Louis round.
“This means a lot,” he said. “St. Louis is the halfway point in the Countdown, and to leave here with the points lead and get the win just gives me and the whole team a big boost going into Dallas and the rest of the races. If you don’t do well here, it sets you back and puts you in a different mindset.”
On his way to the victory, Herrera topped John Hall and Reading-round winner Hector Arana Jr., setting up a rematch of the Seattle final round against Van Sant. More importantly for Herrera, he’s back on top of the points standings, with a 34-point lead over six-time champ Matt Smith, who lost in the second round.
“We’re leaving here with a lot of confidence. I’m glad to say my bike’s back, especially after struggling the last couple of races,” Herrera said.
Denso Buell’s Matt Smith has been able to keep pace with Herrera lately, and at times he’s had the quicker bike, but Smith slowed in his quarter-final race against Geno Scali, a loss that could potentially cripple his chances to win a record seventh title this season.
Van Sant, the reigning NHRA rookie of the year who won his first race earlier this season in Seattle, made it to the final round with wins against Chris Bostick, Vance & Hines rider Richard Gadson and 2003 world champ Geno Scali to advance to the finals for the third time in 2024.
Van Sant has enjoyed a solid sophomore season, with a record of 18-11 in elimination rounds. He’s currently ranked fifth in the standings, 156 points behind Herrera.
FINAL
- Gaige Herrera (Suz)
- Chase Van Sant (Suz)
