RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera has raced in the season-opening NHRA event in Gainesville three times, and he’s won all three of them. Herrera claimed his third-straight victory at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals following a final-round win over his archrival, Denso Buell’s Matt Smith.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
On a weekend when team owners Terry Vance and Byron Hines were inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and Vance & Hines rider Matthew Chapin won the SC Project Twins Cup race across the state in Daytona, Herrera delivered his 22nd career Pro Stock Motorcycle win as he begins his third campaign with the Brownsburg, Indiana-based squad.
“This was a good day for me and a great day for Vance & Hines, although the rain sort of put me in a weird mood,” Herrera said. “We got here early this morning and had to sit through hours of rain, and I was like, ‘Let’s get on with it.’ I’m not the type of person who likes to sit around.
“The rain made it tough, but otherwise, my bike was deadly consistent. We made three straight runs that were 6.76, and I’m amazed that Andrew [Hines, crew chief] can do that. In the final, we knew we needed more, so we threw everything at it. I thought we’d run better, but I didn’t expect a 6.72.”
In an incredibly close final round, Herrera won with a 6.722 elapsed time, stopping Smith’s 6.723. Smith had a slightly faster speed, 203.19 to 200.23, but Herrera was first off the starting line, and that helped make the difference.
“We are very evenly matched, but I got him on the Tree a little,” Herrera said. “Before that final, we were a little behind in performance, but we threw our special tire on there and said, ‘Let’s see what happens,’ and we came away with the win. To start the season with a win here in Gainesville makes for an incredible weekend for the Vance & Hines team.”
Given the longstanding and sometimes bitter rivalry between the two powerhouse teams, Vance & Hines crew chief Andrew Hines couldn’t help but chime in, adding, “These two bikes ran within a thousandth of a second, and that’s what the fans pay to see. The better rider got the win today.”
Herrera rolled through Sunday’s final eliminations with wins against 2003 World champ Geno Scali, Kelly Clontz and Trick Tools Suzuki’s Chase Van Sant, making three straight 6.76 runs in the process. The win was the 22nd of Herrera’s career in just 37 starts.
While Herrera has dominated the last two seasons and qualified number one in Gainesville with a 6.670, Smith led the way for much of the weekend. Smith nearly matched Herrera in qualifying with a 6.679 and then made his way through eliminations by beating Lance Bonham and teammates John Hall and Angie Smith. Despite the loss, Smith, who has made it his mission to win a record seventh championship this season, has clearly closed the performance gap to Herrera since last season.
“I’m basically a neutral person, and Matt [Smith] and I are cordial, but he does have a bit of a rivalry with Vance & Hines, and I think it’s good for the class,” Herrera said. “I just better not hear any crying about parity. The Buells and the Suzukis are even right now.”
Rain affected the Gainesville opener, as Saturday’s qualifying was a complete washout. With just two qualifying runs, there were some surprises, including class veteran Steve Johnson, who did not qualify for the 16-bike field in one of the few times in recent years.
The field also included new riders Branden Litten and Braydon Davis, who have stepped up to NHRA’s premier two-wheel class. Both riders qualified solidly for the field.
The next Pro Stock Motorcycle event will be the annual Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, April 25-27.
2025 NHRA PSM Gatornationals Round 1 Results
FINAL
- Gaige Herrera (Suz)
- Matt Smith (Bue)
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