ation that really helped me get there. A lot of people saw that if I could handle a bike like that, I should have no problem handling a Pro Stock Motorcycle.”
Just like he was on the nitrous-assisted Pro Mod bike, Davis was a quick study on the Pro Stock Motorcycle, though he admits even he was taken aback by the challenge that is adapting to the new riding style. Where Davis had to“ wrestle” the Pro Mod down the track to eighth-mile passes well into the 3.90-second range, his new ride requires finesse to reach the quarter-mile finish line in 6.70 seconds or quicker.
“ Coming into it, I had never even ridden a bike with a clutch, so throwing the clutch and just having to be so smooth and consistent on these motorcycles was an adjustment,” Davis says.“ I don’ t think a lot of people realize that any slight movement or getting out from behind the windscreen can affect you two to five hundredths. It’ s unbelievable just how much you have to do to make that motorcycle run at the top.”
With expanded support from Powertrain Inc. and owners Terry and Angela Durrence, Davis hopped on to the Vance & Hines rental entry for the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway and the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. He qualified No. 1 at both races and lost in the semifinals to teammate and 2023 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Gaige Herrera.
ANOTHER ONE OF DAVIS’ 2025 HIGHLIGHTS CAME AT THE NHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS, WHERE HE WON THE MISSION FOODS # 2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE DURING SATURDAY QUALIFYING.
DAVIS WON IN PRO JR. DRAGSTER AND PRO EXTREME MOTORCYCLE AT THE SAME EVENT NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, DURING HIS PXM ROOKIE SEASON.
He also won the Mission Foods # 2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Virginia.
Realizing Davis was on to something, the Durrences re-upped their deal with Davis and Vance & Hines to include the prestigious U. S. Nationals, the final race of the NHRA regular season. A runner-up finish to Herrera at the Big Go gave Davis a spot in the Countdown for the Championship, so Powertrain Inc. once again expanded their partnership to allow Davis to
run the six-race Countdown playoffs.
As of this writing, David advanced to the final round at two of the six Countdown races, lining up a mid-pack finish in the points standings. He was also in the conversation for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors.
Though his early success suggests that Davis was more than prepared to join the class, he points out that he progressed significantly as a rider as the season went on. He attributes that progression to the guidance he received from his teammates, Herrera and Richard Gadson, but also tuners Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, who won a collective 10 world championships in the class as riders before hanging up the leathers.
“ Those guys give me total confidence,” Davis says.“ They’ re straightforward with you. You’ re working with people who didn’ t just do one side or the other. They rode their bikes and they tuned them, so they know every little way to get all the E. T. out of a motorcycle. When these guys talk to you or try to help you, it’ s best you listen because they’ ve won a lot of championships and a lot of races. They’ re good at what they do, and I really don’ t feel like my riding would have progressed as much as it has if it wasn’ t for them.”
Davis, 19, is determined to make his mark on Pro Stock Motorcycle through full-time participation. He’ s actively seeking partners to support his 2026 campaign, which he hopes will include the new NHRA national event at his home track, South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“ I really feel like that win is coming soon,” says Davis, who thanked his parents, as well as Terry and Angela Durrence with Powertrain Inc., Anvil Trailers, Joel Fulghum, and his Vance & Hines teammates.“ It just takes consistency and lining up on the right side of the ladder. But really, neither side of the ladder is easy. You’ re going to have to face Gaige or Richard or Matt [ Smith ]. There’ s no easy path to the final, but I wouldn’ t want it any other way. If I’ m going to win, I want to have to earn it.” DI
96 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 197