RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Gaige Herrera continues to smash records and break barriers that were previously thought unobtainable in the nearly 75-year history of the National Hot Rod Association. Herrera’s latest trick came at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest Nationals in Seattle, July 18-20, where he won his 25th career NHRA title. Herrera was able to win his 25th race in just his 43rd start, becoming the fastest racer to reach that mark, regardless of category.
By Kevin McKenna
Herrera finished off his latest win with a track-record 6.690 at 201.55 mph to beat Vance & Hines teammate Richard Gadson.
“I never would imagine getting to 25 [wins] this quickly,” Herrera said. “I’m living the dream. I’m very blessed as far as that. To get 25 wins, I mean, it still feels like my first. Every time I get a win, it’s just one of those things: you never lose the excitement. You always drive and push yourself to get the Wally [trophy], because everyone wants to get the Wally.”
Herrera won for the fourth time this season, and this was his second win at Pacific Raceways. On his way to the final, Herrera knocked off defending event winner Chase Van Sant and six-time World champ Matt Smith. Herrera was in the 6.70s all weekend, but the team dialed up something big in the final round against Gadson, producing the first-ever Pro Stock Motorcycle run in the 6.60s at the historic facility. Herrera also kicked off the final with a strong 0.010 reaction time on the starting line to help seal the victory.
“It’s honestly hard to keep track of that [record] stuff. It’s been a lot to take in in a short time for me personally,” Herrera said. “I can’t do without the whole band—the Vance & Hines team and my crew chief Andrew [Hines]—and it was nice to have an all-Vance & Hines final. Plus, I kind of got redemption from last year here. I had 11 consecutive race wins, and then Chase [Van Sant] beat us in the final, so I had a goal coming here to get the win here.”
Gadson, in his second season with the Vance & Hines team, reached the final round for the fourth time in 2025 with wins against Angie Smith and Chris Bostick. Gadson now has a win and three runner-up finishes to his credit this year.
In the opening round, Bostick was involved in a frightening high-speed incident when his WAR-prepared Suzuki made hard contact with the left side retaining wall after the finish line. Somehow, Bostick managed to stay on the bike and avoid serious injury. The WAR team even rolled out their backup bike for the next round as permitted by NHRA rules. Bostick, who had never ridden the new bike, wasn’t able to get it off the starting line, but he earned the respect of fans and his fellow competitors for even trying.
After seven of 15 events, Herrera will now take a 138-point lead to the next round in Sonoma, California, where the class will also take part in the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout, a special high-stakes bonus race for the top eight riders in the class.
2025 NHRA Northwest Nationals Round 7 Results
ROUND ONE: Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.748, 199.17 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.745, 199.14; Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.154, 145.66 def. John Hall, Foul – Red Light; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.722, 202.70 def. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.742, 201.70; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.767, 201.04 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.803, 198.23;
SEMIFINALS: Gadson, 6.770, 198.99 def. Bostick, Broke; Herrera, 6.761, 201.37 def. M. Smith, 6.721, 202.39;
FINAL: 1. Gaige Herrera (Suz) 6.690 – 201.55 mph; 2. Richard Gadson (Suz) 6.743 – 200.32 mph
FINAL FINISH ORDER: 1. Gaige Herrera; 2. Richard Gadson; 3. Matt Smith; 4. Chris Bostick; 5. John Hall; 6. Jianna Evaristo; 7. Angie Smith; 8. Chase Van Sant.
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