The Vance & Hines/Mission/Suzuki NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Team will feature four-time champion Eddie Krawiec and Gaige Herrera competing for the 2023 championship. The riders will be aboard Suzuki Hayabusas and six-time champion Andrew Hines returns as crew chief in 2023.
"This is such a tremendous opportunity," said Herrera. "I never expected to get a call with an invitation to join the Vance & Hines team. When I told my dad (long time drag racing fixture Augustine Herrera), he was as excited as me."
Gaige Herrera is a fourth-generation racer who has had success in XDA's Pro Street and Outlaw racing classes, with race wins in both classes. Herrera is no stranger to fast bikes, having numerous runs in the 6.30’s over 200 MPH. He is also a long-time Suzuki rider, holding the record for the fastest Nitrous Suzuki Hayabusa in the country. He’s also familiar with great equipment, since he’s been a customer of Vance & Hines for the past five years.
"We love finding and supporting talented riders," said Terry Vance, co-founder of Vance & Hines. In 2022, Herrera competed in six NHRA events, qualifying in four of the six races he entered. Herrera impressed the Vance & Hines team when he rode Eddie Krawiec's Suzuki in a test following the Las Vegas round in October.
Krawiec's success in PSM is unquestioned. A member of the Vance & Hines team since 2007, Krawiec has accumulated 49 NHRA wins and four championships (2008, 2011, 2012, 2017). He was the first member of the team to enter the Denso 200 MPH Club with a current top speed of 203.49 MPH. “This will be my second year on the Suzuki Hayabusa and I’m ready for a big year for me and for the team,” said Krawiec.
Suzuki continues its partnership with the Vance & Hines team and will have a significant presence at several of the stops on the 2023 schedule. The Suzuki display will host rider autograph signings at most races and Suzuki's 2023 motorcycles will be on display for race attendees.
“We’re happy to continue our relationship with the Vance & Hines squad for 2023,” said Kerry Graeber, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Suzuki. “We look to continue our shared history of success in NHRA drag racing and welcome Gaige to the team to pilot the legendary Hayabusa ProStock motorcycle alongside Eddie and crew chief Andrew.”
The 2022 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season begins at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL March 9-13, 2023. In the meantime, Vance & Hines will be in Booth #7099 at AIMExpo and Suzuki will be Booth #7030 and Booth #9059
