By Michael Haag, Raceday San Antonio

ENNIS, Texas — Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera made history on Saturday at the Texas Motorplex, but it happened so quickly that you almost couldn’t blink.

Gaige Herrera, No. 1 qualifier. NHRA photo

Herrera produced the fastest run in class history, a 6.627-second blast at 204.16 mph, in front of a near-capacity crowd at the 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals. He set the national record and also broke the category mark for the most No. 1 qualifiers in a single season, previously held by three-time world champion Matt Hines.

The Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki driver bested Karen Stoffer’s 6.665 elapsed time record from Gainesville in 2021. Herrera’s tally also marked the second-fastest run in Pro Stock Motorcycle history. Herrera notched his 12th No. 1 spot and has already won eight of 11 races. 

All of this has come in his first full season of competition in this class. Last year he raced in six events and finished 17th in the point standings. 

“We didn’t think it would be possible, but it was a picture-perfect run,” Herrera said. “It was so smooth it felt slow. We’re definitely happy about that and I was actually almost more excited about that than winning a race. It’s just a big accomplishment. I’ve got a fast motorcycle, and I feel if something doesn’t break and I don’t mess up, it’s going to be hard to beat us.

 “There has been a lot to take in this season and I really don’t think it’s all set in. I can’t really put (it) into words. A year ago today I would not have thought I’d be in the position I’m in, especially accomplishing so much that we have so far this season.”

The La Mirada, Calif. native backed his record-breaking run with the second-quickest flurry, a 6.652 in Q4. Herrera posted near-record speeds of 204.16 and 203.81 mph. 

“We kind of figured with the weather that we could run a .64 but then after seeing Pro Stock not pick up that much we didn’t think it’d be possible,” said Herrera. “I really didn’t think it went that fast. I went around the turnoff and one of the safari guys yelled I went to 204 I thought maybe we went like a .65 and I was .62, so we’re definitely happy about that.”

Herrera, the 2003 Denver winner, will square off against Blaine Hale in the first round, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Hale is making his first start in the class since 2005.

Here’s the full order from Saturday’s qualifying results.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.627, 204.16 vs. 16. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.196, 171.80; 2. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.705, 201.99 vs. 15. Joey Gladstone, Buell, 7.143, 149.34; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.714, 203.92 vs. 14. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 6.962, 193.75; 4. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.736, 198.42 vs. 13. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.923, 191.39; 5. John Hall, EBR, 6.788, 198.80 vs. 12. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.912, 195.08; 6. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.804, 199.03 vs. 11. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.890, 196.76; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.814, 197.60 vs. 10. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.857, 196.82; 8. Chris Bostick, EBR, 6.818, 194.86 vs. 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.828, 197.52.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Richard Gadson, broke.