| September 26, 2023
Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera has had a season for the ages in 2023, but he was in danger of losing his grasp on the NHRA Camping World Pro Stock Motorcycle championship after a couple of tough outings in Indianapolis and Reading. Herrera appears to have righted the ship with a convincing win at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, September 22-24.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
Herrera ran his record on the season to an impressive 34-4 in elimination rounds after a final-round win against GETTRX Buell’s Hector Arana Jr., who fouled at the start. With the win, Herrera extended his lead in the standings to 52 points over Matt Smith.
“It was a good Sunday. We’re here, I’ve got the wallet so I can’t complain, and my bike was consistent again today,” Herrera said. “Losing [at the last] two races kind of lit a fire under me. After Reading, I was kind of pissed off because we really couldn’t pinpoint what happened and that basically made me dig down, me and Andrew [Hines, crew chief] going over data and trying to figure out what happened. So, it really got me involved in it, and the bike came off the trailer here flying.”
Herrera, who appeared unstoppable earlier in the season with six wins in the first eight races, seemed to recapture some of that magic as he easily made his way through the field, including wins against world champions Jerry Savoie and Matt Smith, as well as rookie of the year contender Chase Van Sant. Each win was important, but the victory over Smith was easily the most gratifying and the most important relative to the championship battle.
Smith, winner of the last two events, threatened to take command of the points battle, but Herrera had other ideas.
“I was excited to run him [Smith],” Herrera said. “I actually wanted to skip the first round. I was definitely excited to race Matt because I don’t want anyone easy. I’ve got a fast motorcycle compared to a lot of others out here, so it makes it look easy, but at the same time, they’re all very tough competitors. I love the pressure. My dream would be to race Matt in the final in Pomona for the championship.”
As expected, Smith has pulled out all of the stops in an effort to defend his title. In addition to his own Denso Suzuki, and the Buell ridden by his wife, Angie, he brought out a third bike and hired veteran Chip Ellis as a blocker. After reaching the final a week ago in Reading, Pennsylvania, Ellis fouled in round two against Van Sant, helping to open the door for Herrera’s comeback.
As for Arana, he’s also a title contender aboard his GETTRX Buell following wins against Steve Johnson, Angie Smith, and four-time world champion Eddie Krawiec. Arana is just two points behind Smith in third place with four events remaining in the season.
Krawiec also remains in title contention after his semi-final showing as he’s 104 points behind his teammate, Herrera. The series now shifts to World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, this weekend, where Matt Smith is the defending event winner.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RESULTS:
ROUND ONE — Angie Smith, 6.846, 198.26 def. Chris Bostick, Foul – Red Light; Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.883, 195.68 def. Jianna Evaristo, Suzuki, 6.899, 196.67; Chip Ellis, 6.791, 199.46 def. John Hall, Foul – Red Light; Hector Arana Jr, 6.785, 201.61 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.949, 193.24; Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.858, 195.00 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.881, 193.57; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.863, 196.47 def. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.898, 195.28; Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.791, 200.08 def. Ron Tornow, Broke; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.706, 201.94 def. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light;
QUARTERFINALS — Van Sant, 6.861, 197.45 def. Ellis, Foul – Red Light; Krawiec, 6.828, 199.85 def. Clontz, 6.950, 194.86; Arana Jr, 6.873, 197.86 def. A. Smith, 6.836, 198.50; Herrera, 6.747, 200.71 def. M. Smith, 7.880, 122.91;
SEMIFINALS — Arana Jr, 6.815, 198.06 def. Krawiec, 6.855, 199.17; Herrera, 6.755, 201.10 def. Van Sant, Foul – Red Light;
FINAL — Herrera, 6.726, 201.34 def. Arana Jr, Foul – Red Light.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Point standings
1. Gaige Herrera, 2,304; 2. Matt Smith, 2,252; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 2,250; 4. Eddie Krawiec, 2,200; 5. Angie Smith, 2,171; 6. Chase Van Sant, 2,144; 7. Jianna Evaristo, 2,116; 8. Steve Johnson, 2,107; 9. Marc Ingwersen, 2,105; 10. Kelly Clontz, 2,084.