Fresh off one of the most satisfying wins of his career, Richard Gadson joined NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes to unpack his victory at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals – and the mental pivot that made it possible.
Gadson’s weekend started strong, but the drama ramped up in Saturday’s GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout final, where he faced reigning champion Gaige Herrera. The race ended with Gadson lighting the red bulb by just -.001 seconds. For most racers, that kind of loss would linger. For Gadson, it became fuel.
“I was pissed,” Gadson admitted to Lohnes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so upset about a loss. But at the same time, it was motivation. I knew I had the bike, and I knew I could win on Sunday. I just had to put it together.”
That mindset shift proved crucial. On Sunday, Gadson methodically carved his way through the field, riding with the precision and confidence that’s become his trademark. Each pass was calculated, each light sharper than the last, as he powered his way into the final round.
There, redemption came full circle. Facing Herrera again, Gadson stayed disciplined and aggressive, leaving nothing to chance. “I wasn’t going to be the guy who beat himself twice in the same weekend,” he said. “I learned from Saturday, and I applied it on Sunday. That’s what this sport is all about – learning and adapting in real time.”
The victory not only avenged his Callout loss but also cemented Gadson’s status as one of the most mentally resilient riders in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Lohnes praised Gadson’s ability to reframe a setback so quickly, calling it a “masterclass in competitive mindset.”
“I think it’s important for people to see that you can take a negative and turn it into something positive right away,” Gadson said. “You can’t dwell on it. You have to keep moving forward. And that’s what we did.”
With Sonoma in the books and the Countdown to the Championship looming, Gadson carries momentum – and a renewed edge – into the back half of the season.
This story was originally published on August 5, 2025. 
