Wyman and Gillim Win King of the Baggers Laguna Seca
The Mission King Of The Baggers is a uniquely American race class pitting teams riding Harley-Davidson Road Glides against teams riding Indian Motorcycle Challengers. At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Harley-Davidson claimed full bragging rights by sweeping the podium in both of the weekend’s two feature races. Not only that, but the same three riders and same two teams finished in the top three on both days.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman took over the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers points lead with a dominating win on Saturday and a second-place finish on Sunday in a double-header weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif. Aboard a race-prepared 2024 Road Glide motorcycle, Wyman also broke his own track record in qualifying and won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge. RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim won on Sunday as Harley-Davidson riders locked out the King of the Baggers race podiums all weekend.
“For the Harley Factory Team, the great weekend really started on Friday,” said Wyman. “It put us a step ahead and I was really feeling the flow on the track right away. This Harley Road Glide is a beast and we won going away on Saturday. On Sunday, it took me a few laps to get pace but I’ll take nothing away from Hayden. He really wanted the win and I’m concerned with points for the championship so didn’t want to take a chance on the last lap.”
Sunday’s race two winner was defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim who took the checkered flag aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim battled it out with polesitter and current points leader Kyle Wyman, who got the holeshot and led the first two laps until Gillim overtook him on lap three. Wyman retook the lead again on lap six, but Gillim once again got by Wyman and held the position to the finish line.
Gillim’s teammate and King Of The Baggers rookie Rocco Landers made another charge to the front like he did on Saturday. Starting back in seventh on the grid, he methodically passed riders as the laps wound down and overtook S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Troy Herfoss on the final lap to complete the podium and notch a 1-3 finish for RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
“Whenever we get on any bike, it’s all or nothing,” said Gillim. “That’s why we’re on these things. That’s why we’re on the teams that we’re on. Nobody is coming out here to just show up. Everybody is coming out here to win. That’s how we are, too. That’s why not winning or not even being able to really fight for the win yesterday was so frustrating for me. Now we’re getting back to where we should have been at the beginning of the season. I’m able to actually fight and be there with these guys. It’s been challenging. We’ve had some ups and downs. It’s good. This is the first time I’ve had to fight for the win. I’m really happy about it. This is the first time I’ve had to battle and actually take a win from somebody. At Brainerd, I was feeling really good and was able to kind of get away. It’s nice to have those wins, but these are a lot of fun. I’m really happy. The whole team is just working their butts off trying everything they can possibly do on the off weekends. I’m really grateful to be here and to be able to ride multiple classes and to be at the front in most of the classes I’m in. It’s going really good. I got some sleep last night, so I’m a little happier today.”
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Laguna Seca Race 1
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Ruben Xaus (H-D) Feuling Parts
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Danny Spina (H-D) Ruthless Road Racing
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Laguna Seca Race 2
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Danny Spina (H-D) Ruthless Road Racing
