Herfoss Takes Dramatic Race 2 Win at Road America

Herfoss powers his Indian Challenger to final corner victory after a Harley-Davidson podium sweep in the opening King of the Baggers race 

Troy Herfoss delivered a statement ride on Sunday at Road America, storming to a dramatic Race 2 victory in the King of the Baggers series after a fierce final-lap clash that pushed the championship narrative into high gear. The S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider clawed back momentum after Harley-Davidson’s dominant showing on Saturday and brought home a key win that keeps his title hopes alive.

Race 1 on Saturday had been all about Harley-Davidson, with the factory Dynojet team executing a clean sweep of the podium just an hour north of the brand’s Milwaukee base. Kyle Wyman, the most decorated racer in Baggers history, turned in a masterclass performance from the outset, showcasing superior pace through every session. He controlled the race at the front and took his fourth win of the season — the 22nd of his career — elevating his already commanding position atop the standings. His teammate Bradley Smith, in his first visit to Road America and only his second event in the category, closed the gap late in the race by setting the fastest final lap of the contest but settled for second just 0.255 seconds behind the leader. James Rispoli completed the all-Harley podium, coming home a distant third, while Indian’s Tyler O’Hara led the chase group ahead of Hayden Gillim and a frustrated Herfoss, who finished sixth and unable to match the outright pace of the Harleys on the day.

All of that changed on Sunday as Herfoss returned to form. Race two quickly developed into a tense strategic shootout between Herfoss and Smith, with Rispoli and Wyman shadowing from close range. Both Herfoss and Smith repeatedly traded positions in the early laps, using the lengthy straights and heavy braking zones of Road America to execute calculated overtakes.

The second half of the race saw tire conservation become critical, with lap times slightly falling off but the top four remaining tightly packed. Heading into the final sector on lap eight, Smith led but ran deep into the last corner under pressure. That small error was all Herfoss needed, as he dove underneath in a last-gasp move. The two touched on corner exit, sending Smith down and allowing Herfoss to power away to the win.

With Smith down, Rispoli and Wyman moved up to claim the remaining podium spots, finishing second and third. Herfoss, meanwhile, not only claimed the win but also recorded the fastest lap of the race on the final lap — a sign of his improved speed compared to race one. Smith was classified outside the top ten after remounting but crossed the line to pick up valuable, if limited, points.

O’Hara finished fourth, picking up consistent points for Indian, while Gillim, Baz, Lewis and others battled it out for top ten finishes. The margin at the front of the championship tightened slightly, but Wyman still holds a sizable advantage ahead of Herfoss, with Rispoli continuing to climb the ladder.

Highlights of Race 2 can be viewed on Youtube

Troy Herfoss (P1) – “Firstly, I just want to say, I hope Bradley (Smith) is okay. We were racing super hard out there. That guy is hungry. He was like a dog with a bone. I closed the gap in the last turn. I thought when we went in there, I was a lot stronger than him in the day. This morning, I was seeing him as well. He ended up pushing a lot wider than me. I went for it, and he went for it. I really hope that’s the way we can see it moving forward. I know how I’d feel right now if I was Bradley, and I just want to say I’m sorry that that’s how it finished. But we were both going for the same line. Aside from that, it was quite the day. I was having a lot of fun out there in that race. It’s a funny old game, isn’t it? You’ve got to be able to ride a bike fast, but when you get out there and the flag drops, it’s about racing a motorbike and it’s a fun old game. I think I’m pretty good at that game.”

KOTB Road America Race 1

KOTB Road America Race 2