The Vance & Hines Factory Racing team have kicked off the 2026 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers season in dominant fashion, securing back-to-back one-two finishes at Daytona International Speedway. Press: Indian MotorcycleRiders Hayden Gillim, Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers debuted the newly developed Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger race bike, demonstrating the machine’s speed and performance across the opening race weekend.

Momentum began early when Gillim won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge, collecting the $5,000 prize and setting the tone for the season opener. He carried that form into Race 1, delivering a commanding performance aboard his #69 Indian Challenger. After surging past the leading riders on the opening lap, Gillim built a comfortable lead and ultimately crossed the line more than eight seconds ahead of the field, while teammate Troy Herfoss secured second place to give Indian a one-two finish.

The second race of the weekend again saw the Indian team at the front of the action. Gillim initially led and began opening a gap before a mechanical issue forced him out of the race. Herfoss capitalised on the opportunity, fighting through a close battle with Harley-Davidson riders before powering his #17 Indian Challenger to victory, securing his first career win at Daytona.

Teammate Rocco Landers added to the team’s success by using the slipstream on the final lap to move into second place, delivering another one-two finish for the Indian Challenger.

The performance highlighted the strength of the newly developed race bike, powered by Indian’s PowerPlus engine, which delivered the acceleration and top-end speed required on Daytona’s high-speed banking.

Following the opening round, Herfoss leads the King of the Baggers championship standings with 45 points, while Gillim sits tied for second on 32 points as the series prepares for the next round at Road Atlanta on April 17–19.

Aussie Troy Herfoss is making his debut with the team this week at Daytona!

The result marks a powerful start to the season for the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing Team, reinforcing the brand’s position at the front of the sport’s premier V-twin racing category.

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