The 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers season opened in dramatic fashion at Daytona International Speedway, where the newly formed Indian Motorcycle–Vance & Hines, Motul USA, J&P Cycles’ Factory Race Team wasted no time establishing itself as a championship contender. Leading the charge was Hayden Gillim, who delivered a commanding performance aboard the Vance & Hines–prepared Indian Challenger to win Race 1 and secure his first career King of the Baggers victory at Daytona.
Gillim’s win also spearheaded a 1–2 finish for the Indian Wrecking Crew, with teammate Troy Herfoss bringing his Challenger home in second after an intense battle with Harley-Davidson factory rider Kyle Wyman.
When the green flag dropped on the high banks of Daytona, the race immediately turned into a drafting battle between the front runners. Gillim ran third for much of the opening lap before capitalizing on the slipstream down Daytona’s long straights. Using the draft perfectly, he surged past both Herfoss and Wyman before the end of Lap 1 to seize the lead.
Once out front, Gillim wasted no time asserting control. The Kentuckian quickly settled into a blistering pace, stretching his advantage lap after lap. While the fight behind him intensified, Gillim steadily pulled away from the pack, building a margin of more than four seconds as the race progressed.
Behind the leader, Herfoss and Wyman traded positions in a fierce battle for second place, both riders pushing their baggers to the limit through Daytona’s high-speed banking and technical infield sections.
As the laps wound down, Herfoss made a calculated defensive move to shut down Wyman’s drafting attempt on the final run to the line. The Australian held his position to secure second place, giving the Indian Motorcycle–Vance & Hines squad a historic 1–2 finish in its very first race weekend together.
Meanwhile, Gillim crossed the finish line with authority, taking the checkered flag by more than eight seconds—a massive margin in the ultra-competitive bagger racing class.
The victory marks a major milestone for the newly formed partnership between Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Motorsports, signaling that the reimagined Indian Wrecking Crew intends to be a dominant force throughout the 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers season.
With one race already in the books and momentum squarely on their side, the Indian Motorcycle–Vance & Hines Factory Race Team has firmly planted its flag at the top of the championship standings.
The team’s 2026 program is supported by J&P Cycles, MOTUL, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties, and Performance Finance.
Race 2 of the Daytona King of the Baggers round is set to continue the season-opening showdown during Daytona Bike Week, where fans can expect more high-speed drafting battles between the sport’s most powerful American V-twins.