NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Geno Scali, the 2003 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, has signed an agreement with the Vance & Hines team to ride their Suzuki lease entry for the 2026 season. Scali, who will be sponsored by RMJ Construction, will join a team that includes reigning world champion Richard Gadson and two-time champ Gaige Herrera.

“When I came back to the sport in 2024, I raced with the Vance & Hines team and I thought we worked pretty well together. Now, we get a chance to do that again, only this time it’s for the full season,” said Scali. “I’m looking forward to hopefully finishing in the Top 10 and in a perfect world, we’d challenge for a spot in the Top 5.

During his career, Scali has won four events including three during his championship season of 2003. He also won the 2002 Brainerd event, the most recent win for the Kawasaki brand in NHRA competition.

Scali left the Pro Stock Motorcycle class following the 2007 season and did not return until 2024, when he joined the Vance & Hines team for eight races. Last season, Scali competed in four events on his own Suzuki entry but when an opportunity arose to re-join the Vance & Hines team, he opted to return for a full season.

“Last year, I talked to my sponsor, and we looked at a few options, but I really wanted to go back to Vance & Hines,” said Scali. “The last time I rode for them in Pomona at the end of 2024 I made one of my best runs ever. We got the bike to run a 1.05 sixty-foot time, and it ran good numbers.

“I’m going to be 62 this year but I still feel like I’m in good shape and that I can ride the bike at a high level. If I didn’t think I could be competitive, I don’t think I’d be doing this. The problem is that I’m not 140 pounds like I was when I won the championship in 2003. That’s going to affect us a bit, but I still think I can be competitive.”

Scali is reuniting with a Vance & Hines team that has won 16 championships since 1997 with five different riders. Last year, Gadson won his first title while Herrera finished second after back-to-back titles in 2023-24.

“[Crew chiefs] Andrew [Hines] and Eddie [Krawiec are sharp guys and it’s no surprise this team does as well as it does,” said Scali. “I also have a long history with the Vance & Hines team. They supplied my engines the year I won the championship and we’ve always had a great relationship.

“I’m excited to give this another try. It might seem a little crazy at my age, but I’ve got a lot of help, including my wife, Donna, who is my biggest supporter. I can’t wait to get to Gainesville and throw a leg over the bike for the first time this year.”