Indian Motorcycle may have new ownership, but the old fire to win remains. The new Chief Executive Officer has committed to winning even before he is officially on the job! “Indian Motorcycle is entering a new era in its historic journey in 2026, and the first place we plan to prove it is on the racetrack,” proclaims incoming Indian CEO Mike Kennedy. “This partnership is a reminder of what American performance looks like when you refuse to back down.”
America’s First Motorcycle Company has taken a bold first step toward the future by announcing a multi-year agreement with Vance & Hines Motorsports. This partnership combines the unparalleled history and innovation of America’s first motorcycle company with the performance and race craft expertise of the motorcycle industry’s most respected aftermarket provider, claims Kennedy. “As the leading aftermarket supplier for V-Twin performance, with nearly 50 years of innovation and racing success, Vance & Hines is the ideal partner to drive the next era of Indian Motorcycle racing, and we couldn’t be more excited to get started.”
This strategic partnership brings 150 years of combined racing history and success. Indian Motorcycle was founded on racing in 1901 and forged a legacy of domination on the track that has carried the brand for more than a century. Since 1979, Vance & Hines has carved a racing legacy of its own, running successful race programs and capturing championships in roadracing, flat track and drag racing for Ducati, Suzuki, Yamaha and Harley-Davidson.
“Indian Motorcycle is legendary. A brand built through racing, and over the past decade it’s been a fierce competitor that has pushed us to innovate both on and off the track,” adds Terry Vance, Co-Founder & Owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports. “Right out of the box, the Indian Challenger, and its liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine bring a high-performance, reliable machine that’s capable of winning every time it lines up on the grid. Having witnessed its capabilities since the inception of the class, we’re thrilled to continue the development of this dynamic platform in partnership with Indian Motorcycle, as we push for another MotoAmerica King of the Baggers championship in 2026.”
The partnership commences with Vance & Hines spearheading the Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines factory racing program in the 2026 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series. With an all-new Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew, including 2024 Champion Troy Herfoss, 2023 King of the Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim, and rising star Rocco Landers, the Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines factory racing team enters 2026 with a singular goal: dominating the 2026 King of the Baggers series!
Since the inaugural King of the Baggers race in 2020, the Indian Challenger and Vance & Hines have combined for four of the six King of the Baggers championships. The 2026 Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines factory race team will receive sponsorship support from J&P Cycles, MOTUL, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties and Performance Finance.
