NHRA in 2024 Results of the Thunder Valley Nationals PSM.
June 7-9 at Bristol, Tennessee, saw the continuation of Gaige Herrera’s historic season as the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion defeated Jianna Evaristo of Scrappers Suzuki in the final round with his RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki. In the process, Herrera broke a tie with two-wheel icon Dave Schultz and set a significant record with his ninth consecutive victory. In addition, Herrera has tied the record held by Bob Glidden, the 10-time Pro Stock car champion, with 35 straight elimination round victories.
“Herrera expressed awe at being mentioned alongside Dave Schultz and Bob Glidden, acknowledging the magnitude of such recognition. He admitted that while the accomplishment felt surreal, he was trying to savor every milestone achieved in a relatively short period. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted that as a child, he never imagined being in his current position or having his name etched in history, which sometimes evoked emotional responses.
In his latest victory, Herrera faced some challenges, particularly during qualifying where he secured the fifth spot, a considerable distance from the leader, Matt Smith. However, he regained his form by the final race, clocking a 6.818 elapsed time at 198.17 mph, comfortably outpacing Evaristo’s 6.861.
Throughout the competition, Herrera triumphed over formidable opponents, including defending Bristol Champion Steve Johnson, John Hall, and the low-qualifier Smith, maintaining his flawless record for the 2024 season. Notably, his duel with Smith garnered significant attention during the Bristol event, with Herrera clinching victory with a narrow margin, posting a 6.825 compared to Smith’s 6.824.
Reflecting on the race against Smith, Herrera described it as a career highlight, considering Smith’s consistent performance throughout the weekend. He also expressed admiration for his final opponent, Jianna, noting her continuous improvement and expressing joy at defeating her. Herrera highlighted the significance of having two young competitors in the final, emphasizing the excitement of the moment.”
Evaristo experienced her most successful day in NHRA competition since her surprising triumph at the 2019 season finale in Pomona, California. While some might have attributed her previous win to luck, her presence in the Bristol final demonstrated that her success was no mere coincidence. Evaristo secured solid victories against Marc Ingwersen, Chase Van Sant, and Herrera’s Vance & Hines teammate, Richard Gadson.
“Our team had a strong feeling heading into this weekend, having gained valuable insights during testing,” Evaristo remarked. “We were confident that the adjustments we made would propel us in the right direction, and qualifying in the top half of the field affirmed that for us. Making it through multiple rounds in eliminations boosted both our confidence and motivation, especially with the tremendous support from the fans in the stands.”
Results from the 2024 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals PSM:
**ROUND ONE**: Hector Arana Jr, 6.868, 198.17, defeated Angie Smith, Buell, 6.896, 195.11; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.871, 196.53, defeated Marc Ingwersen, who did not show up; John Hall, 6.876, 195.96, defeated Chris Bostick, Suzuki, due to a foul – red light; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.813, 197.91, defeated Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.922, 192.82; Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.878, 195.45, defeated Ron Tornow, 6.920, 195.03; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.860, 196.96, defeated Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 8.130, 119.97; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.807, 199.61, defeated Ryan Oehler, 7.012, 194.24;
**QUARTERFINALS**: Evaristo, 7.115, 161.19, defeated Van Sant, who had a foul – red light; Gadson, 6.876, 195.87, defeated Arana Jr, 6.874, 197.68; Herrera, 6.829, 197.31, defeated Hall, 6.866, 197.45; M. Smith, 6.817, 198.82, was unopposed.