Harley-Davidson returned to the top step of the podium in emphatic fashion during Round 8 of the 2026 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with Bradley Smith and Kyle Wyman each earning their first victories of the season aboard factory Road Glide race bikes.

The doubleheader weekend marked Harley-Davidson’s strongest showing of the year, ending Indian’s recent winning streak while tightening the championship battle heading into the second half of the season.

After showing consistent speed throughout the opening half of the season, Bradley Smith finally converted pace into victory in Saturday’s nine-lap race. The Harley-Davidson x DynoJet Factory Racing rider charged past Troy Herfoss on Lap 2 before steadily pulling away from the field.

By the checkered flag, Smith held a commanding 4.69-second advantage over Herfoss to secure his first King of the Baggers victory since joining Harley-Davidson in 2025.

The win also continued Smith’s remarkably consistent campaign. Through eight races, the former MotoGP rider has finished inside the top four every weekend and now owns three podium finishes while climbing firmly into championship contention.

“I’ve been asking absolutely everything I could from the Harley-Davidson team all week,” Smith said after the race. “When we put everything together, we can do things like today. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved.”

Kyle Wyman finished fifth in Race 1, while James Rispoli crossed the line sixth aboard the Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing entry. Sunday belonged to defending King of the Baggers champion Kyle Wyman.

After winning the morning Mission Challenge sprint race, Wyman carried that momentum into the feature event, grabbing the holeshot and never relinquishing control despite constant pressure from teammate Smith and Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss.

The race changed dramatically on Lap 5 when championship leader Hayden Gillim crashed exiting Turn 2 while battling near the front. With Gillim relegated to eighth after remounting, Wyman and Smith escaped from the field to deliver a Harley-Davidson one-two finish. Wyman crossed the finish line just 0.240 seconds ahead of Smith, with Herfoss finishing more than seven seconds behind in third.

“It feels so good when you can execute the race exactly how you envisioned it,” Wyman said. “These guys never quit, and this Harley-Davidson team gave me an incredible motorcycle this weekend.”

Wyman’s Sunday victory carried extra meaning. The defending champion competed with a special tribute helmet and No. 1 plate honoring Harley-Davidson racing legend Mert Lawwill, who passed away earlier this year at age 85. Lawwill captured the 1969 AMA Grand National Championship aboard a Harley-Davidson and remains one of the brand’s most iconic racers.

“I want to give a shout-out to the Lawwill family,” Wyman said after the victory. “To get a win here wearing his helmet and running his No. 1 plate is about as special as it gets.”

Following eight of fourteen rounds, the championship remains wide open despite Gillim retaining the points lead.

2026 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Championship Standings

1. Hayden Gillim (Indian) – 156 points
2. Troy Herfoss (Indian) – 143
3. Bradley Smith (Harley-Davidson) – 136
4. Kyle Wyman (Harley-Davidson) – 113

Harley-Davidson leaves Laguna Seca with significant momentum after sweeping the weekend’s victories and proving the factory Road Glide package has the pace to challenge for the championship over the final six rounds.

The MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Championship resumes July 31-August 2 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where Harley-Davidson will look to continue closing the gap in the title chase.

Race 1

1. Bradley Smith (Harley-Davidson)
2. Troy Herfoss (Indian)
3. Hayden Gillim (Indian)
4. Tyler O’Hara (Indian)
5. Kyle Wyman (Harley-Davidson)

Race 2

1. Kyle Wyman (Harley-Davidson)
2. Bradley Smith (Harley-Davidson)
3. Troy Herfoss (Indian)
4. Tyler O’Hara (Indian)
5. Rocco Landers (Indian)