American Rebel Light Buell’s John Hall hadn’t won an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle race since the 2013 season, but there was never a time when he didn’t think he’d be back in the winner’s circle. Hall’s patience was rewarded with a win at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29, where he defeated RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Richard Gadson in the final round.
Story by Kevin McKenna
By his own admission, Hall did everything wrong in the final round as he gave up a starting-line holeshot and then nearly crossed the centerline as he approached the finish line, yet he still won the race. Hall powered to a 6.880 elapsed time, barely finishing ahead of Gadson’s 6.967. The win was Hall’s third in NHRA competition.
“This is special because you never know if you’re going to get another one. I won two races in 2013: two races, including the U.S. Nationals,” Hall said. “For the record, I beat [current team owner] Matt Smith in the final.
“You know, 12 years goes by, and you just realize how hard it is to get one of these. And I had two with Matt Smith Racing, and now I have another one with MSR. They’re one of the hardest-working teams out here. And they can get you to the winner’s circle if you do your job.”
Hall was quick to credit Smith, who also serves as his crew chief. The six-time World Champion tuned Hall’s Buell to an impressive 6.832 in qualifying, as well as wins against Wes Wells, Marc Ingwersen and Gaige Herrera on race day.
“I ride the bike, and he [Smith] tells me to do my job and hit the [shifter] button, cut a good light, and that’s when I go up there with my mindset,” Hall said. “They’re constantly tuning the bike for the weather, and it paid off today.
“In the final, I probably did everything I could to lose that race. I didn’t even see the time slip, but I’ve heard rumors that I had a 0.080 [reaction time]. I was close to the center line, but the win light came on. I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ So, I’m happy. Sometimes it’s just your day.”
It was definitely Hall’s day in the semifinal round, where he benefited from a rare red-light start by two-time champion and current points leader Herrera. It was just the third time this season that Herrera had lost a race, but Hall was happy to take advantage.
As for Gadson, he’s now been to the final round three times this season and has a win and two runner-up finishes to show for it. In Norwalk, where teams fought hot and humid temperatures, Gadson was the fifth quickest qualifier in the field with a 6.853 and then topped a tough group that included 2023 Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith and six-time champ Matt Smith.
Gadson figured to have his hands full with Smith’s Denso Buell, and he did. In one of the best side-by-side races of the day, Gadson left first by a slight two-tenths of a second and then won with a 6.929 to Smith’s 6.946.
It’s still a bit too early to tell, but the event may have provided a momentum shift in the class, as Smith qualified five of his V-twin bikes in the top seven qualifying spots and rode his personal bike to a 6.816 for the top spot and the quickest pass of the weekend.
The NHRA Mission Foods tour will now head west to Seattle for the Northwest Nationals, taking place from July 18 to 20.CN
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 6 Results
1. John Hall; 2. Richard Gadson; 3. Gaige Herrera; 4. Matt Smith; 5. Jianna Evaristo; 6. Marc Ingwersen; 7. Angie Smith; 8. Ron Tornow; 9. Steve Johnson; 10. Chris Bostick; 11. Chase Van Sant; 12. Odolph Daniels; 13. Wesley Wells.
ROUND ONE Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.908, 197.42 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.924, 195.22; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.865, 198.23 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.924, 192.85; Marc Ingwersen, 6.963, 191.73 def. Ron Tornow, Foul – Red Light; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.844, 197.97 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.935, 193.79; John Hall, 6.862, 196.67 def. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 17.653, 82.67; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.833, 197.83 def. Odolph Daniels, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.810, 200.41 was unopposed;
QUARTERFINALS Hall, 6.883, 197.68 def. Ingwersen, 6.985, 192.66; Gadson, 6.847, 197.68 def. A. Smith, 7.001, 173.36; Herrera, 6.864, 198.26 was unopposed; M. Smith, 6.869, 199.29 def. Evaristo, 6.904, 196.67;
SEMIFINALS Hall, 6.956, 194.10 def. Herrera, Foul – Red Light; Gadson, 6.929, 195.59 def. M. Smith, 6.942, 196.27;
Final
1. John Hall (Bue) 0.082 / 6.880 at 196.87 mph
2. Richard Gadson (Suz) 0.021 / 6.967 at 195.19 mph
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