HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN SETS A NEW TRACK RECORD AND WINS IN TEXAS TO HOLD KING OF THE BAGGERS POINTS LEAD
Rispoli Takes Third Podium in Four Races Aboard Factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman made his mark at Circuit of the Americas with a dramatic win, a new class track record, and the MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers points lead. Wyman, aboard his race-prepared 2024 Road Glide® motorcycle, finished the doubleheader race day with second and first place finishes. His Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing teammate, James Rispoli, is third in points after hard-fought fourth and third place finishes.
The MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series appeared as part of the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas weekend on the challenging 3.4-mile, 20-turn Circuit of the Americas road course, adding a uniquely American flavor to the event and making many new fans.
The first six-lap race saw Factory Indian rider and pole sitter, Tyler O’Hara, lead a breakaway pack of six bikes, including Wyman and Rispoli, for the first five laps. On the last lap of the race, Wyman made his move, passing O’Hara for the lead. Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss came with him after fighting his way to the front from as far back as sixth place. Moments later Herfoss dove below Wyman heading into turn 15, forcing Wyman wide. Herfoss held on to cross the finish line 0.295 seconds ahead of Wyman with O’Hara third, Rispoli fourth, and RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim fifth, all separated by less than one second.
Later Saturday afternoon, the second six-lap Mission King of the Baggers race saw Herfoss and Wyman pass O’Hara on lap two and gradually open a gap over the second group of riders, led by Rispoli. Wyman stalked Herfoss until the last lap before making his move on the brakes going into turn 1. Wyman then laid down a near perfect lap, setting a new lap record for the class at 2:14.8 and a win by 0.677 seconds.
“I knew I had some pace on the Factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide and methodically moved my way forward,” said Wyman. “I’m so pumped to get this win for Harley-Davidson. It was a really great race, I’m looking forward to Road Atlanta.”
Rispoli enjoyed another successful weekend on the Factory Harley-Davidson team with his third podium finish in four races.
“I am so stoked to be on the podium again,” said Rispoli after race two. “There were so many people battling for position, and it was so much work. I tried everything to hang on to third place for my guys who worked so hard this weekend. It’s such a confidence boost for me.”
After four of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman leads the championship with 95 points. Herfoss is second with 85 points, followed by Rispoli with 61 points, O’Hara with 46 points, and Gillim with 45 points.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing returns to action April 19-21 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. during the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Road Atlanta event.
The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 1
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing
- Cory West (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) RydFast Racing
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 2
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) RydFast Racing
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Cory West (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Indian Motorcycle Factory Rider Troy Herfoss Secures First-Career King of the Baggers Victory
Three-Time Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss Takes First & Second at Circuit of The Americas Alongside MotoGP
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (April 15, 2024) – In what proved to be an exciting weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) during MotoGP, Indian Motorcycle factory rider, and three-time Australian Superbike Champion, Troy Herfoss secured his first-career King Of The Baggers (KOTB) class win aboard the S&S Indian Challenger. In his first season racing baggers, Herfoss has proved to be a fierce competitor for the series championship, sitting second overall through four races.
Starting the weekend off hot, Herfoss won the Mission Foods Challenge and its $5,000 prize. After two qualifying sessions, Herfoss earned a front row starting position for Race 1. Despite starting third on the grid, Herfoss found himself mid pack early in the race. Having never raced at COTA and learning the track by playing a video game, Herfoss put on a master class, as he maneuvered his way to the front of the pack and into a three-way battle heading into the final lap. Ultimately, it was Herfoss taking the win by .295 of a second. Herfoss was joined on the podium by fellow Indian Motorcycle factory rider and 2022 KOTB Champion Tyler O’Hara, who captured his first podium of the 2024 season.
“It’s an honor to be standing here today and get my first win at COTA during MotoGP,” said Herfoss. “It’s early in the season, and I’m getting more and more seat time aboard the S&S Indian Challenger. It’s an incredible motorcycle – fast and smooth, but at 620-pounds, it’s like nothing I have ever raced before. With each lap and every race, I learn something new and gain even more confidence.”
While it’s Herfoss’ first move into bagger racing, his S&S Indian Challenger and S&S factory team are no strangers to the competition – having won the 2020 inaugural race and 2022 championship title with O’Hara piloting. Herfoss’ skills, paired with O’Hara’s experience, S&S’ engineering, and the Indian Challenger’s performance, make him a legitimate competitor for the 2024 title.
To start his KOTB career, Herfoss has never missed a podium, adding three second place finishes and to his one win. Herfoss is firmly planted second overall, 10 points behind the lead and 24 points ahead of third.
MotoAmerica’s Mission King Of The Baggers season continues at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta April 19-21.
The S&S Indian Challenger race team is sponsored by S&S, Progressive, Mission Foods, Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, and Performance Finance.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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