NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

At the beginning of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, there was a crowded field of rookies in all four Professional classes. With two events remaining, Richard Gadson, rider of the Vance & Hines RevZilla Suzuki, has emerged as a solid front-runner. So far this season, Gadson has raced to three final rounds, is the only rookie with a positive win-loss record (21-13), and has a 62% (.617) overall win percentage on top of an 85% (.846) first-round win percentage.
 
“This season has been a dream season, and I am looking forward to getting that first win in either Las Vegas or Pomona,” said Gadson. “It won’t be easy, but that is what I love about this class. The competition has never been tougher, and when you get a couple round-wins on Sunday, you know you have accomplished something. I can’t thank Andrew [Hines], Eddie [Krawiec], Gaige [Herrera], and everyone behind the scenes at Vance & Hines for putting me in position to win NHRA Rookie of the Year.”  

Gadson was tabbed to replace multitime world champion Krawiec at the end of last season. Throughout this season, with Krawiec and Hines calling the tuning shots, Gadson has performed more than admirably in a class littered with world champions and high-performance teams. Krawiec has nothing but praise for the team’s first-year rider.

“Richard has won a lot of races on many different motorcycles, but when it came down to racing a Pro Stock Motorcycle in the NHRA, he was truly a rookie,” said Krawiec. “He had roughly 15 runs on a Pro Stock Bike before coming to the Vance & Hines team. We knew with his natural ability he would be able to adapt and become a competitive racer as he made more runs down the track. Talent is something you cannot teach someone, and when the individual has it, they will always shine in anything they do. Off the track, Richard is also one of those people who will help anyone and just loves the sport of Drag Racing and is excited to be involved.”

Throughout the history of the NHRA Rookie of the Year award, which started in 1990, formerly the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, seven Pro Stock Motorcycle riders have won the coveted award. The category went back-to-back with the winners when Hector Arana Jr. and LE Tonglet won in 2010 and 2011. Last year, Chase Van Sant took top honors for the 2023 rookie class, and the second-year rider won his first Professional NHRA national event earlier this season, ending the longest winning streak in NHRA history when he outran Gadson’s teammate Herrera in the NHRA Northwest Nationals final round in Seattle. Van Sant weighed in on the significance of seeing another Pro Stock Motorcycle rider win rookie of the year.
 
“I’d love to see another Pro Stock Motorcycle racer earn the Rookie of the Year award, but more than just that, I’d love for Richard to win it,” said Van Sant. “I think his on-track performance has been amazing, and really shows what kind of competitor he is. He hasn’t given many rounds up at all, and I know there’s never an easy feeling when he’s in the lane next to me. Just as important, I’ve done some autograph sessions with him, and he connects with fans so well. I think fans can tell right away how genuine he is, and it means a lot to them.”

Arana, another one of Gadson’s chief competitors and a former NHRA Rookie of the Year himself, also added his thoughts on the merits of Gadson’s rookie season.

“Richard has done a great job this year proving he belongs in the PSM class,” said Arana, 2011 NHRA Rookie of the Year. “He’s made it to three final rounds so far and has stayed humble even though he’s riding for one of the best teams. As a former Rookie of the Year, I think that Richard has done a great job representing himself, the NHRA, and the class. Richard deserves the 2024 Rookie of Year.”

Gadson has proven himself to be a dedicated competitor, transcending the realm of racing as a true student and enthusiast of the sport. From his early years, motorcycle drag racing has been his passion and sole focus. Gadson took on his first full season of NHRA Pro Stock racing after earning titles in XDA, NHDRO, SEMDRA, and ManCup. NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle stands as his lifelong aspiration, aligning with the dreams of many of his peers. Beyond the dragstrip, he indulges in diverse interests, such as snowmobiling, go-karting, and avidly following Supercross and various other racing and sports. Throughout the 2024 season, Gadson has also donated his time to charity events and NHRA fanfests.

Gadson and the RevZilla Suzuki will be back on track for the final two NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events, starting next week with the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, Nov. 1-3, 2024, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.