Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Team Takes First And Second In Both Daytona Races

The 2026 MotoAmerica season kicked off in spectacular fashion as Mission King Of The Baggers made its debut at Daytona International Speedway, and the newly formed Team J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle wasted no time making an impact.

Race weekend began with strong qualifying performances from the entire lineup of Troy Herfoss, Hayden Gillim, and Rocco Landers, setting the stage for what would become one of the most talked about openings to a King Of The Baggers season.

On Friday, Hayden Gillim delivered a commanding performance in Race 1, charging to victory aboard the Vance & Hines prepared Indian Challenger and ending the Daytona win streak previously held by the Harley-Davidson factory program. Gillim controlled the race from the front, crossing the line with a significant margin while teammate Troy Herfoss secured second place, giving the team a decisive 1–2 finish in its first race weekend as a new factory partnership.

Saturday’s Race 2 continued the momentum. After regrouping overnight, Troy Herfoss returned to the front of the field and captured victory, earning his first King Of The Baggers win at Daytona and delivering another strong result for the team. Rocco Landers followed closely behind in second, once again putting two Vance & Hines Indian Challengers on the podium and reinforcing the team’s competitiveness early in the championship fight.

The Daytona weekend marked a powerful opening statement for the program and highlighted the pace and development potential of the Indian Challenger race platform as the championship moves deeper into the season.

With the first round complete, the team leaves Daytona encouraged by the performance and energized for the road ahead. The season is just getting started, and the momentum built during this inaugural weekend sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting year in the Mission King Of The Baggers championship.

Congratulations to Troy Herfoss, Hayden Gillim, and Rocco Landers along with the entire Team J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle crew for a strong start to the 2026 season.

 

Photography: @brianjnelsonphoto and @g.e.r.g.s