Gaige Herrera Starts 2025 NHRA Season Strong

Gaige Herrera qualified first and won the NHRA season opener for the third consecutive year.

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Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera spectacularly started the 2025 NHRA (The National Hot Rod Association) season, securing a victory at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. Herrera’s flawless performance showcased his skill and determination as he defended his title with a series of impressive runs, culminating in a thrilling final-round victory over last season’s runner-up, Matt Smith.

Qualifying and Early Rounds

Herrera claimed the top qualifying spot for the 24th time in his career with a blistering 6.670-second pass at 202.97 mph (326.62 km/h) during Friday’s session. Rain showers on Saturday canceled further qualifying, setting the stage for a dramatic Sunday of eliminations.

After a four-hour delay due to morning rain and a track power outage, Herrera began his title defense with a 6.766-second/200.11 mph victory over former champion Geno Scali, who fouled at the starting line. In the second round, Herrera defeated Kelly Clontz with a 6.765-second/199.23 mph run, followed by a 6.764-second/198.88 mph pass in the semi-finals to eliminate Chase Van Sant and advance to his 25th career final round.

A Thrilling Final Round

In the finals, Herrera faced off against Matt Smith in a nail-biting side-by-side race. Herrera gained an early advantage off the starting line and crossed the finish line with a 6.722-second/200.23 mph run, his quickest of the day, narrowly edging out Smith’s 6.723-second/203.19 mph effort. The 0.295-second margin of victory secured Herrera’s 22nd career win and extended his undefeated record in Gainesville to 12-0 in elimination rounds.

Reflecting on the win, Herrera praised his team and highlighted the importance of his reaction time in the final round. “This win was an all-time high for me because it came down to reaction time between me and Matt. That’s the kind of racing I love,” he said. “Andrew [Hines] changed the tire for the final and did his magic with the computer. It was a picture-perfect run. I had to make zero corrections, hit all my shift points, and I knew Matt would have to be more than perfect to beat me.”

Richard Gadson’s Strong Start

Richard Gadson, who finished third in the championship last season, began his sophomore year with the Vance & Hines team by qualifying fourth with a 6.727-second/201.67 mph run. Gadson defeated Brandon Litten in the first round with a 6.821-second/198.38 mph pass but fell short in the second round against Chase Van Sant despite improving to a 6.814-second/198.82 mph run.

“It’s tough racing out here. You can do your best job and then somebody just throws a haymaker,” Gadson said. “I feel like I’m starting the season 180 degrees from where I was last year. I came here well prepared mentally and physically, but mother nature just didn’t cooperate.”

Crew Chief Andrew Hines on the New Spec Fuel

The 2025 season introduced a new VP Racing spec fuel, replacing last year’s mandatory fuel that posed challenges for the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki team. Crew chief Andrew Hines expressed optimism about the change, stating, “I think it’s better all-around and we’re excited to have them back in the series. The introduction of any new fuel means we need to adapt our tune-up, but we had enough performance to get through today.”

Hines also credited the team’s “fast” tire, used in the final round, for making a critical difference. “It’s worth about two-hundredths and helped us secure the win,” he said.

Standings and Next Race

After the first of 15 rounds in the 2025 Pro Stock Motorcycle season, Herrera leads the standings with 123 points, while Gadson sits fifth with 55 points. The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines team will return to action on April 25-27 at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.

Herrera’s victory at the Gatornationals sets the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing. With his unmatched skill and determination, Herrera is poised to continue his dominance as he chases a third consecutive championship.