SONOMA, Calif. — Eight of the top stars in NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle category are headed west to Sonoma Raceway to compete in the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout on Saturday, July 18, as part of the 38th annual DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge.
The unique callout style event will pit eight top riders in the class against each other, with two-time world champion Gaige Herrera getting the first pick. Herrera is seeded first, followed in order by reigning world champ Richard Gadson, defending event winner Matt Smith, Angie Smith, John Hall, Jianna Evaristo, Chase Van Sant and Steve Johnson.
Gadson is the most recent winner on the NHRA tour, winning in Norwalk and has big hopes – and a little revenge – after going just -.001 red in last year’s Callout final against six-time world champ M. Smith in Sonoma.
“I remember every pass and I remember every loss,” Gadson said. “Last year, in Sonoma, I had the best bike. I went .001 red and the finals to Matt. I’m remembering that. So, I’m going to go there and the lights are hopefully going to be green. Right now, I feel like I have a really good bike.”
Smith, who is slated to return to action after sitting out the last two events following surgery, has dominated the specialty race and is after his third straight GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout win. He’ll be the third rider to make a pick – if he isn’t called out by either of the Vance & Hines teammates.
With a $25,000 prize on the line for the winner of the one-day race, the eight riders will be ready. As part of a unique weekend, the Callout riders will only compete on Saturday, making test runs on Friday leading into the main event. Sunday’s eliminations of the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge will feature Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock.
The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout takes place at 11:15 a.m. PT on Saturday, with the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. and the finals at 3:30 p.m. Television coverage of the Callout begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.
“I’m not known for having the fastest motorcycle,” said Gadson. “But I have a really good motorcycle and when I’m on, I’m on. You have to get there in front of me. So, to go to Sonoma for a lot of money, I feel good about it. I feel like we’re in a good window right now and I got a shot at the All-Star Callout, so we’re going to give it a try.”
