NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Richard Gadson will celebrate a meaningful milestone when he rolls into Maple Grove Raceway for the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, Sept. 11-14.

One year ago at this very track, Gadson quietly welcomed a group of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) youth to the races, a gesture that has since grown into a season-long initiative supported by Werner Communications.

Now in his second season with Vance & Hines Motorsports, Gadson has hosted BBBS groups at three races so far in 2025, including events in Charlotte, Chicago, and Indianapolis. Reading will mark the one-year anniversary of the program, with St. Louis and Dallas still to come.

“Last year and even at the beginning of this year, I more so emphasized to the kids about chasing their dreams,” said Gadson. “I think the success that I've had lately transforms the message from beyond chasing their dreams to showing them that they can reach their goals and they can win at these things. I’m now speaking truth by telling a story of success, from having it happen to me.”

In his sophomore season, Gadson has enjoyed breakthrough success on track: winning two national events, claiming a No. 1 qualifier, and earning two Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge victories, both on weekends when he also hosted BBBS groups. He enters the Countdown to the Championship ranked No. 2 in points, only 23 points behind his teammate, Gaige Herrera.

“Having BBBS at the track does give me a little extra something to race for. They're up in the stands watching me,” said Gadson. “In that moment, I’m their favorite driver, because I’m probably the only one they know. I want to show off for these kids. I always tell them they're my good luck charm. And it seems to be true.”

The initiative is personal for Gadson, whose own family once benefited from Big Brothers Big Sisters. When his father passed away at an early age, his mother, Karen, enrolled him and his siblings in the program. Karen is often in the pits when BBBS comes through.

“My mom is obviously excited for me when I win, but whether I win or lose is very low on her radar,” said Gadson. “For her to see me pay it forward with these kids, it really makes her happy. BBBS was something our family needed when I was a kid. I needed it, and she needed it for us. I know she is proud of me, watching me do the Big Brother Big Sister initiative with these kids.”

Beyond the racing, Gadson treasures the small, human moments, like in Chicago when a young teen circled back later in the day to ask more questions and take a picture on his motorcycle.

“In Chicago, there were two kids that I thought were brother and sister or best friends, when they walked into my pits,” said Gadson. “They were already playfully jabbing at each other and seemed like they were inseparable, and I didn't know that they just met. That warmed my spirit, to know that this whole thing is multifaceted. They're not just getting a cool day at the racetrack and seeing something that they wouldn't normally see. They're also making new friends.”

When it comes to talking with the kids, Gadson keeps it simple and genuine. He remembers when he was their age, having adults preach life advice to him and not really taking him in.

“A lot of times I don't know exactly what to say to them, and I purposefully don’t rehearse anything,” said Gadson. “I don't have a speech prepared for them. I want to make sure that it stays with me, just talking to a young kid that doesn't know anything about racing, so it doesn’t have to be racing-specific. I'm talking to them about my experiences and my journey and what the program meant for me. I look them in the eye, introduce myself, ask them their names, their ages, and then just talk to them like I would talk to a regular kid. I try and meet them where they are at.”

With Reading marking both the start of the Countdown to the Championship and the one-year anniversary of Gadson’s BBBS track initiative, the weekend represents an important moment both on and off the track. Gadson is thankful for the support of his team for being able to make this all happen.

“I'd like to thank Werner Communications for all of their hard work in helping me pull this off,” said Gadson. “There's no way I could've continued to do this without Elon and Abby's support on the admin side. I'd also like to give a huge thanks to NHRA, the participating tracks, and my Vance & Hines teammates for their contributions towards this program. I’m blessed to be in a position to give back.”