By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio
ENNIS, Texas – Gaige Herrera capped off his record-breaking weekend by notching his ninth NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season Sunday at the 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.
He did it by knocking off teammate Eddie Krawiec in the final round with a run clocked at 6.644 seconds at 203.30 mph on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
“A year can make a world of difference,” Herrera said. “I’m just here living the dream. This bike has been flying all weekend and this whole weekend has been cool. This is a special one right here and one I’ll never forget. It’s been incredible what this Vance & Hines team has given me. My bike has been flying and it’s crazy how fast it is and how easy it has been to ride. It’s on a string right now.”
Herrera, who is in his first full season of competition in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class, had seventh straight quarter-mile runs in the 6.60s this weekend at the famed Texas Motorplex. That streak also included Saturday’s record-breaking pass of 6.627 at 204.16.
“It’s been an incredible experience this weekend in Dallas. Getting the national record (on Saturday) and then the win, and doing it in front of all these great fans all weekend, it’s been amazing.”
The march to the finals featured a dominant performance for both Herrea and Krawiec. Cool temperatures and low humidity helped produce ideal racing for the racers. Several records were broken for time and speed in multi racing classes.
Herrera reached the finals by getting elimination round wins against Blaine Hale, Chris Bostick and Hector Arana Jr.
Krawiec, who was aiming for his 50th career win, raced to the finals for 84th in his career by defeating Cory Reed, Matt Smith and Joey Gladstone in prior rounds.
Herrera leaves Texas with a 156-point lead over Krawiec and he can clinch his first career world championship in Las Vegas on Oct. 26-29 when the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Media Center Interview:
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle results:
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
- Gaige Herrera; 2. Eddie Krawiec; 3. Hector Arana Jr; 4. Joey Gladstone; 5. John Hall; 6. Matt Smith; 7. Marc Ingwersen; 8. Chris Bostick; 9. Kelly Clontz; 10. Ryan Oehler; 11. Jianna Evaristo; 12. Malcolm Phillips Jr.; 13. Steve Johnson; 14. Cory Reed; 15. Blaine Hale; 16. Chase Van Sant.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE — Chris Bostick, 6.851, 194.95 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.051, 166.45; Marc Ingwersen, 6.800, 197.74 def. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.972, 163.86; Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.845, 198.55 def. Ryan Oehler, 6.868, 187.60; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.725, 203.48 def. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 7.008, 186.76; John Hall, 6.804, 199.06 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, Broke – No Show; Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.738, 197.50 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.763, 199.12; Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.853, 201.67 def. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 7.138, 167.81; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.657, 202.65 def. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.262, 186.57;
QUARTERFINALS — Gladstone, 6.766, 200.30 def. Ingwersen, Foul – Red Light; Krawiec, 6.731, 201.05 def. Smith, 6.857, 197.75; Arana Jr, 6.779, 199.99 def. Hall, Foul – Red Light; Herrera, 6.656, 204.01 def. Bostick, Foul – Red Light;
SEMIFINALS — Krawiec, 6.692, 203.88 def. Gladstone, 6.814, 195.10; Herrera, 6.661, 203.49 def. Arana Jr, 6.734, 199.40;
FINAL — Herrera, 6.644, 203.30 def. Krawiec, 6.706, 202.56.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Point Standings
- Gaige Herrera, 2,560; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,404; 3. Matt Smith, 2,386; 4. Hector Arana Jr, 2,381; 5. Chase Van Sant, 2,254; 6. Angie Smith, 2,203; 7. Jianna Evaristo, 2,202; 8. Marc Ingwersen, 2,190; 9. Steve Johnson, 2,171; 10. Kelly Clontz, 2,156.
