Richard Gadson Wins Pro Stock Motorcycle

For the first time, Richard Gadson is a winner in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, defeating teammate Gaige Herrera in the final round, taking the holeshot victory on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki with a run of 6.884 at 196.30. Herrera went a quicker 6.882, but Gadson’s stout .014 reaction time proved to be the difference at the finish line.

Gadson had fallen short in four previous trips to the final round, including this year at the four-wide race in Charlotte, but Sunday in Bristol belonged to the standout second-year rider. He defeated Charles Poskey and Chase Van Sant to reach the final round, holding off Herrera to claim his first victory. He had found success in qualifying and in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and Gadson was thrilled to collect his first Wally.

“The first thing is I’m exhausted. This has been hands down the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done I always knew I could do it. I really needed to win this for me,” Gadson said.

“I’m just not used to some of the mistakes I’ve made. I had to dig deep and remind myself of what I’m capable of. In some ways I feel like ‘Mr. Almost.’ I almost win. I almost won the Rookie of the Year, but not today. I just needed to make sure I did everything right on my end. Today, the motorcycle is not an excuse. We have three of them, and they’re all really good.”

Herrera reached the finals for the third time this year, thanks to round wins against Chris Bostick, Angie Smith and No. 1 qualifier Brayden Davis. Herrera also stayed in the points lead.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action June 20-22 with the fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Va.

ROUND 1 ELIMINATIONS

W – Jianna Evaristo / 0.054 / 6.982 / 194.24
L – Marc Ingwersen / 0.018 / 7.071 / 190.81
Marc Ingwersen is 1 – 4 against Evaristo and they have all been in Rd. 1. Jianna Evaristo is 20 – 40 in Rd. 1 in her career (2 -1 this year). Ingwersen with the starting line advantage, but slows on the top end. Evaristo chased him down for the win.

W – Angie Smith / 0.122 / 6.897 / 196.82
L – Steve Johnson / 0.058 / 6.98 / 193.13
Angie Smith wins 70% of her Rd. 1 races when she has lane choice. Steve Johnson is 5 – 9 against Angie in Rd. 1. Johnson with the starting line advantage, but Smith chased him down at 1000 feet to get the win. She makes her quickest pass of the weekend for the win.

W – Chase Van Sant / 0.025 / 6.96 / 196.04
L – Ryan Oehler / -0.06 / 6.969 / 194.52
Chase Van Sant is 24 – 7 (77%) in Rd. 1. Ryan Oehler is 0 – 1 against Van Sant in Rd. 1. Oehler goes red to give Van Sant the win.

W – Gaige Herrera / 0.054 / 6.857 / 197.13
L – Chris Bostick / 0.08 / 7.136 / 166.91
Since the start of 2023 Gaige Herrera is 33 – 0 in Rd. 1. Chris Bostick is 1 – 2 in Rd. 1 this year. Herrera with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He makes his quickest pass of the weekend for the win and lane choice over Angie Smith in the next round.

W – Matt Smith / 0.039 / 6.87 / 198.99
L – John Hall / 0.029 / 6.969 / 196.7
Since the start of 2023 Matt Smith is 29 – 4 in Rd. 1. John Hall is 2 – 3 against Smith in Rd. 1. Hall with the starting line advantage, but Smith has the lead by the time they go by the Christmas tree and never trailed for the win. Smith makes his quickest pass of the weekend for the win and lane choice over Van sant in the next round.

W – Richard Gadson / 0.019 / 6.869 / 196.53
L – Charles Poskey / 0.065 / 7.153 / 191.29
In his last 18 starts Richard Gadson 16 – 2 in Rd. 1. Charles Poskey is making his 1st start since Las Vegas-2, 2021. This is the first time Gadson and Poskey have faced each other in eliminations. Gadson with a great light and never trailed for the win. He is straight down the groove for the win. He will have a bye in the next round.

W – Brayden Davis / 0.026 / 6.831 / 198.09
L – BYE
Davis with the bye and he is straight down the groove. He makes the quickest pass of the event for the win and lane choice over Evaristo in the next round.

ROUND 2 ELIMINATIONS

W – Chase Van Sant / 0.007 / 6.951 / 196.76
L – Matt Smith / 0.135 / 6.881 / 199.46
Van Sant is 4 – 2 against Smith in prior events. Van Sant with a great light and the power to hold on for the hole shot win.

W – Gaige Herrera / 0.055 / 6.883 / 196.67
L – Angie Smith / 0.065 / 6.967 / 196.44
Herrera is 8 – 2 against Smith in prior events. Herrera with the starting line advantage and is straight down the groove for the win.

W – Brayden Davis / 0.012 / 6.87 / 197.77
L – Jianna Evaristo / -0.084 / 7.089 / 194.69
Evaristo turned on the red light to give Davis the win. He makes the quickest pass of the round and will have lane choice over Herrera in the semifinal.

W – Richard Gadson / 0.033 / 6.898 / 196.93
L – BYE
Gadson with the bye run here, he is straight down the groove with a good looking pass. He will have lane choice over Van Sant in the semifinal.

 

SEMI-FINALS

W – Richard Gadson / 0.011 / 6.911 / 192.33
L – Chase Van Sant / -0.002 / 6.981 / 185.31
Van Sant is 5 – 2 against Gadson in prior events. Van Sant goes red to give Gadson the win. Gadson is straight down the groove for the win.

W – Gaige Herrera / 0.013 / 6.895 / 196.59
L – Brayden Davis / 0.214 /
This is the first time Davis and Herrera have faced each other in eliminations. Herrera with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Davis broke right at the hit. He said after the race he double clutched it.

 

FINALS

W – Richard Gadson / 0.014 / 6.884 / 196.3
RU – Gaige Herrera / 0.032 / 6.882 / 196.24

Weather conditions: air temperature 73 degrees, relative humidity 71 percent, barometer 29.78 inches, adjusted altitude 3,503 feet. Herrera is 2 – 1 against Gadson in prior events and Herrera is 1 – 0 against Gadson in prior final rounds. Gadson with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the hole-shot win. Richard Gadson’s MOV: 0.0164 seconds (approximately 5 feet). Gadson wins his first Wally

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Qualifying – Saturday

Brayden Davis continued his magnificent weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle, picking up his first career No. 1 qualifier in just his second NHRA start with a standout run of 6.834 at 197.59 on a Powertrain/RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki. He was the best bike on Friday and got challenged on Saturday, but lowered the boom to end the day with a standout run. It was a surreal moment for the young Davis, who showed his skills on an impressive bike.

“It’s hard to even believe to come out here and run with the best of the best,” Davis said. “Coming in here, I knew I had a good bike, and it was left up to me to see how well I could ride. Honestly, before my first run, I was nervous. Me and Andrew [Hines crew chief] are getting closer. Before the last pass, he said it’s going to hit me a little harder, and if it makes it you’re going to the top. I definitely could feel the difference.

“It’s going to be a dogfight tomorrow and I’m ready for it.”

Teammate Richard Gadson is currently second with a 6.859 at 197.62 and Matt Smith is third thanks to a run of 6.871 at 199.46.

Herrera, the back-to-back world champion, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the second time this season, going 6.891 at 196.30 on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki to defeat Steve Johnson, who ran into trouble almost immediately. He was thrilled with the win, while also enjoying seeing Davis’ success on Saturday as well.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE

ROUND ONE
W – Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.974, 192.91
L – Matt Smith, Buell, Foul – Red Light

W – Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.876, 197.39
L – Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.992, 193.99

FINAL
Win – Gaige Herrera, 6.891, 196.30
L – Steve Johnson, Broke.

“It’s awesome seeing him doing so well. I might be taking that bike back for tomorrow. He’s young and doing a phenomenal job,” Davis said. “For Brayden to qualify No. 1 and me to get the Mission win, it’s awesome for the whole Vance & Hines team. It’s amazing what our guys are able to do with three different bikes.”

1. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.834, 197.59
2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.859, 197.83
13. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 7.229, 188.31
3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.871, 199.46
12. John Hall, Beull, 6.993, 195.59
4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.876, 197.39
11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.992, 193.99
5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.907, 196.53
10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.91
6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.911, 195.48
9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.967, 193.79
7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.941, 190.89
8. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.952, 194.52

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Qualifying – Friday

Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon led the way during a rain-shortened Friday at Bristol Dragway, taking the provisional No. 1 qualifier at the 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Making just his second career race start in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Brayden Davis made a strong impression riding the Powertrain/RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki for the first time, going to the top with a run of 6.870 at 197.22. Davis made his PSM debut in Gainesville, but this weekend marks his debut with the Vance & Hines team and he’s had an immediate impact.

Riding the motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera took to the winner’s circle in Chicago, Davis made two strong passes and is now in line to get his first career No. 1 qualifier and possibly become the fifth different winner at Bristol Dragway in five years.

“It was definitely unbelievable to be with a powerhouse team like Vance & Hines and get the No. 1 spot,” Davis said. “I ran 6.89 and 6.87 and that proves the bike is deadly consistent. Andrew [Hines, crew chief] is helping me as a rider.

“This isn’t a bad start but I’ve now got a target on my back but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’ve always been the kind of person where pressure doesn’t get to me and I’ve raced in some pretty bizarre situations.”

Teammate Richard Gadson is currently second with a 6.879 at 195.93 and Angie Smith is third thanks to a run of 6.907 at 196.53.

1. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.870, 197.22
2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.879, 197.83
3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.907, 196.53
4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.915, 196.27
5. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.921, 198.38
6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.956, 193.96
7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.963, 194.52
8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.60
9. John Hall, Beull, 6.993, 195.59
10. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.030, 190.11
11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 7.031, 190.27
12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.088, 191.89
13. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 9.423, 95.56

Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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About Mission Foods

Great food is a great motivator. It brings everyone to the table and inspires us to explore all kinds of delicious destinations. At Mission®, it drives us to seek the freshest ingredients, simple recipes, diverse flavors and wholesome products that help us discover all the places our tortillas can go. There are better-for-you destinations like with our high protein, low carb, or gluten-free tortillas. Of course, tacos and nachos are favorite stops. We are always up for those. www.missionfoods.com

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