Due to excessively windy conditions, the Pro Stock Motorcycle final of the NHRA event in Las Vegas was pushed to the season final in Pomona in two weeks as Vance & Hines teammates Richard Gadson and Gaige Herrera will continue their battle for the Mission Foods NHRA title.
By Kevin McKenna
Herrera and Gadson are the two leading contenders for the title, and their delayed final will take place during the third qualifying session, which is slated for 1 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 14.
Prior to the delay, Herrera had established himself as the favorite for both the race win and the championship. Herrera was the number one qualifier and ran as quick as 6.752 at 200.05 mph during the Las Vegas event. During Sunday’s final eliminations, he defeated Chris Bostick, Clayton Howey and Joey Gladstone.
“I wasn’t too sure if it was possible to run in the 6.70s, but last night at dinner, I got a text from Andrew [Hines, crew chief] saying we’re going 0.70s tomorrow,” Herrera said after Saturday’s qualifying. “He’s definitely got the bike figured out right now. It’s in a window, and it’s in a happy window, so I just had to go out there and do my job more than anything.”
“I feel like me and Richard both are going to be on our game, and we’re going to go as many rounds as we can until we meet each other or any other competitors and get put out early.”
Gadson, the reigning World Champion, qualified second and knocked off John Hall, Angie Smith and Ryan Oehler. He’ll head to Pomona with a 55-point lead over Herrera, looking to clinch his second straight World Championship.
In the semifinal round, both riders fought hard to maintain control of their RevZilla Vance & Hines Suzukis due to strong crosswinds, forcing officials to make the decision to move the final round to Pomona.
The unique NHRA points system will likely make for an exciting event. In Las Vegas, competitors earn 20 points for each round win. That changes in Pomona, where the final event of the season uses a points-and-a-half format: each round win is worth 30 points, so Gadson’s current 55-point edge isn’t as solid as it may look.CN
