NHRA US Nationals: Gaige Herrera Cements His Legacy
The NHRA US Nationals 2025 lived up to its legendary reputation as “The Big Go,” with record-setting performances and dominant runs defining the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Held at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, the event was nothing short of spectacular, particularly for Gaige Herrera, who not only defended his U.S. Nationals crown but also sealed his third consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle regular-season championship.
Herrera, piloting the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa, was flawless from qualifying through the final. He set a new track record with an elapsed time of 6.738 seconds at 201.16 mph, securing the top qualifying spot and sending a clear message to the field. In the opening round, Herrera defeated Chris Bostick, marking his 39th straight first-round victory—a feat that ties him for the second-longest streak in class history. He continued his tear with decisive wins over Angie Smith and his championship rival, Matt Smith.
In the final showdown, Herrera met rookie phenom Brayden Davis, who had eliminated Richard Gadson in the semis. But Herrera was untouchable, laying down a 6.834-second pass to take home the Wally and notch his fifth win of the season and the 26th of his career.
NHRA US Nationals: Gadson’s Grit and the Rise of Davis
Richard Gadson was a major storyline throughout the NHRA US Nationals. Coming into the weekend on a strong run, Gadson qualified second overall and made headlines by winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, a fan-favorite event offering both points and prize money.
Despite an early-season stumble, Gadson’s performance has been consistently elite, and his runner-up standing in both qualifying and the championship points solidifies his role as Herrera’s most formidable threat entering the Countdown.
Rookie Brayden Davis had his breakout moment, upsetting Gadson in the semi-finals before lining up against Herrera. While Davis couldn’t best the champ, his deep run into the final marked a major turning point in his young NHRA career, signaling the arrival of a new contender in the Pro Stock Motorcycle field.
NHRA US Nationals: Record Times, Intense Matchups, and a Clear Title Race
The 2025 NHRA US Nationals was a revelry of speed, precision, and the evolving depth of the Pro Stock Motorcycle grid. Herrera’s blistering track record reaffirmed his place at the top, but performances from Gadson, Davis, and the ever-competitive Smiths prove that the class is brimming with talent.
More notable is how clean and commanding Herrera’s campaign has been. His calm under pressure, unmatched reaction times, and technical mastery of the Hayabusa platform continue to raise the bar for the sport. The event also featured another dominant showing from the Vance & Hines camp, whose engineering continues to lead the pack.
The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge added a layer of mid-race-weekend drama, giving riders like Gadson and Herrera a chance to stack bonus points before entering the high-stakes playoffs. For fans and insiders alike, it was a clear preview of the fireworks ahead in the Countdown to the Championship.
NHRA US Nationals: Playoffs Loom with Herrera on Top
With the nine-race regular season wrapped, Gaige Herrera leads the points with 988 as the top seed heading into the Countdown to the Championship. Thanks to NHRA’s points reset, he’ll start the playoffs with 2,110 points, just ahead of Gadson at 2,090.
As the most prestigious drag racing event in the country, the NHRA US Nationals 2025 delivered on every front—speed, spectacle, and standout performances. And if Herrera’s momentum is any indicator, the chase for the championship is about to hit overdrive.
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