INTERVIEW I 2023 NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHAMPION GAIGE HERRERA
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times. He did not win a round of
competition, but in retrospect, it
was the best decision of his life
since that six-race stint quickly
turned into an audition.
Shortly after the end of the
2022 season, the Vance & Hines
team made the difficult decision
to part ways with three-time
World Champion Angelle Sam
-
pey, one of the most popular
racers
on the NHRA tour. Quite
simply, Sampey wasn't able to
deliver the results the team was
looking for, so they began a rider
search. Several experienced rid
-
ers were considered but Herrera
ultimately got the call.
"Last
year, I just wanted to
come out here and have some
fun. I had no idea it would turn
into what it became. I certainly
didn't expect to get a [full-time
ride] out of it. I have to give all
the credit to Vance & Hines.
None of this would be possible
without them. I grew up watch
-
ing that team race. Now, to be a
part
of it is something special.
"Honestly, I think that my [in
-
terview with team co-owner Terry
Vance]
was the most nerve-
wracking part of the season,"
Herrera said. "Terry is a great
leader, but he can also be kind of
intimidating. I just told him how
much I love drag racing and how
much I want to compete. I'm
grateful they saw enough to hire
me. The knowledge and history
they have in this sport is insane."
Herrera made several very
impressive runs during pre-sea
-
son testing, but then again, so
did most of
the other riders in
the class since new technology,
mostly in cylinder heads, has
allowed performances to take a
big step forward.
The season-opening Amalie
Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
in Gainesville, Florida, provided
"For me, the biggest
challenge was racing in
front of big crowds and
dealing with TV cameras
and the media."
Gaige Herrera came seemingly out of
nowhere and dominated the 2023 NHRA
Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship.
