soared into the mid-90s, tax-
ing both riders and crew chiefs,
who had to figure out a way to
navigate the highest track tem-
peratures seen this year. Herrera
and his team seemed to have
the least amount of difficulty, as
they qualified number one with a
6.70, and then breezed through
Sunday's final eliminations with
wins against Chris Bostick, John
Hall and Gadson. The final round
was delayed several hours due
to rain, but that just seemed to
prolong the inevitable: Herrera
clocked a 6.755 to stop Gad
-
son's 6.786 as both riders were
dead-even off the starting line.
When it comes to making drag
racing history, Herrera practically
has the market cornered. With
his latest win, he also now has
39-straight round wins, setting
that record on Sunday as well.
Herrera hasn't lost a race since
the Reading, Pennsylvania, event
last September and has now
won 16 of the last 20 races since
joining the Vance & Hines team.
Gadson may well be the favor
-
ite to end Herrea's streak, as he
turned in his best performance
of the season. After qualifying
second with a 6.763, the impres
-
sive rookie defeated Eiji Kawaka-
mi, Jianna Evaristo and Hector
Arana Jr. to reach his first career
final.
Six-time champion Matt Smith
was able to keep pace with Her
-
rera earlier in the event, but he
endured a rare loss in round one
at the hands of his wife, Angie,
who won using a starting-line
holeshot.
The Mission Foods NHRA
Drag Racing Series will now
head to Summit Motorsports
Park in Norwalk, Ohio, this week
-
end for the sixth of 15 events.
Herrera will look to remain
unbeaten, and to increase his
already massive 270-point lead
over Matt Smith in the stand
-
ings.
Kevin McKenna
FINAL ELIMINATIONS
1. Gaige Herrera (Suz) 6.755
2. Richard Gadson (Suz) 6.786
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P39
