The first Pep Boys NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout specialty race took center stage at the Sonoma track as racers were required to “call out” another rider who they believed they could beat. The order of selection was based on current points standing for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. This race within a race had PSM teams competing for big money before the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals got under way.
It is a challenge for teams to prepare for head-to-head competition during early qualifying rounds, as regular race weekends provide a couple of days to tune-up and be ready to hook-up at the tree. Factoring in the natural rivalries that fans see in Pro Stock Motorcycle on national weekends, everyone was eager to see which teams would end up participating in the eight-bike shootout. NHRA chose the PSM riders to highlight the one-day shootout at the final round of the Western Swing.
Current PSM points leader Gaige Herrera had the first callout and picked another multi-generation young gun Chase Van Sant. With five wins on the 2023 season, Herrera has already claimed a spot in the Countdown. Hector Arana Jr., also a second-gen racer, called out PSM veteran Steve Johnson. Eddie Krawiec picked Marc Ingwerson, which meant the final pairing was Smith vs. Smith. That guaranteed that either Matt or Angie would advance a DENSO bike to the next round of competition.
Awesome Conditions Greeted PSM Riders
Seeing a Smith versus Smith round in Pro Stock Motorcycles happens all the time; and just because the riders are married, don’t think they aren’t competitive because they are. She relied on a hole shot .017-second reaction time to advance to the semifinals.
Vance & Hines veteran Eddie Krawiec chose to put his Mission Foods Suzuki up against rival Marc Ingwersen has been quick on the Buell EBR. The Suzuki Hayabusa of Krawiec powered to the win in close callout match up. Krawiec ran a 6.771 ET at 199.91 mph to Ingwersen’s 6.854 at 199.88 mph.
Hector Arana Jr was introduced to drag racing by his dad. Today, both are still hanging out together at NHRA nationals. Arana Jr. won at Bandimere aboard the GETTRX Buell and proved too quick for Steve Johnson’s Button Trucking Suzuki advancing to the semi.
Gaige Herrera aboard the Vance & Hines Suzuki has been on fire all season winning just about everything in sight. Van Sant has been fast in 2023 riding the Trick-Tools Suzuki. Herrera showed his strips and posted a 6.745 ET at 200.32 mph to stamp his ticket to the next round.
Gaige Picked Arana; Smith Matched Against Krawiec
The DENSO Buell of Angie Smith was showing its oats after husband Matt worked his magic at the starting line. With his 49 career wins in pro stock motorcycle, Krawiec got left at the start and Smith posted a 6.785 ET at 200.95 mph to out run Krawiec’s 6.882 elapsed time at 200.59 mph; Smith advances.
Some racing fans thought Gaige Herrera would callout Hector Arana Jr. for his first-round match. But it didn’t really matter as GETTRX Buell was waiting for Mission Foods Vance & Hines-tuned Suzuki at the start. Arana Jr. broke off the start but Herrera showed his strength with a 6.732-second pass to advance.
Rookie Herrera Adds to His Trophy Case
The Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout was certainly living up its billing. In All-Star final, Herrera went 6.756-seconds at 196.42 mph on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Suzuki to defeat Angie Smith’s DENSO Auto Parts Buell. The first-year PSM rider claimed another win in a bonus event. Herrera’s rookie-season trophy case already looks like a veteran of NHRA pro stock motorcycle.
UP COMING:
Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals
Pro Stock Motorcycle riders will finish qualifying and elimination rounds at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals before taking a month off. This year’s highly competitive field of veterans and newbies will be back on track at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals on Aug 30 - Sept 4 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
