Indian Reflects On 2026 Success, Confirms Gillim And Herfoss for 2027
The following is from Indian Motorcycle Racing…
Golden Valley, MN (September 29, 2026) — Indian Motorcycle Racing closed out a historic 2026 Mission King Of The Baggers (KOTB) season this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, putting an exclamation point on the team’s first season with Vance & Hines Motorsports and once again showcasing the Indian Challenger as far and away the most-dominant machine in the class. After clinching the championship with Hayden Gillim at Circuit of the Americas two weeks ago, the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Motorsports Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team carried its momentum into the season finale, capturing its 10th overall win and completing an Indian Challenger podium sweep in Race 1, while adding another podium finish for good measure in Race 2.
When it was all said and done, the team delivered an unparalleled season of record-breaking success, including an individual record eight wins for Gillim, within the team’s 10 overall victories, and a record-setting 24 overall podium positions over the series’ 14 races.
“When you consider that we entered Daytona back in March with only a single testing session under our belt, it’s pretty amazing to think about what we were able to accomplish,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “When you break it all down, this season is the ultimate testament to the superior performance of the Indian Challenger and the broader PowerPlus platform, and to the collaborative power of Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Motorsports. And in that respect, the amazing outcome this season comes as no surprise.”
The dominant 2026 season only sets the stage for the next chapter, with the team committing to 2026 Champion Gillim and 2024 champion Troy Herfoss for 2027. Together, the two riders will lead the program as it looks to build on this record-setting year by being the first team to win back-to-back KOTB championships.
“This season was incredible, and we’re proud of everything this team accomplished, but our work doesn’t stop here,” said Kennedy. “We’re already focused on what comes next, with a clear goal of becoming the first manufacturer to win back-to-back King of the Baggers championships. Hayden and Troy are going to be a major part of that plan. They’ve proven what they can do on the Indian Challenger, and with Vance & Hines Motorsports continuing to develop this program, we believe we have the people, the team and the machine to keep pushing this class. This season set a new benchmark for bagger racing, and now the focus immediately shifts to 2027.”
From the opening round at Daytona International Speedway to the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Indian Motorcycle Factory Racing delivered the most dominant campaign in King of the Baggers history. The factory team, armed with the Vance & Hines Motorsports-built Indian Challenger, captured 10 of the season’s 14 race victories, including a six-race win streak that established a new manufacturer record. Gillim’s eight victories set a new single-season record for wins by a rider, while the factory team placed at least one Indian Challenger on the podium in every race and set a new KOTB record with 24 total podiums. The team also secured six of the seven pole positions and established five new track records at Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Circuit of The Americas and New Jersey.
The results marked a historic first season for the new partnership with Vance & Hines Motorsports, which came together ahead of the 2026 season to bring a proven performance platform and decades of race development expertise together under one program. At the heart of the effort was the Indian Challenger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 engine, giving the team a strong foundation to develop and refine a purpose-built race package throughout the season. The collaboration quickly translated from the drawing board to the racetrack, with the team quickly and consistently establishing its dominance.
In New Jersey, Herfoss closed out the season with a statement in Race 1, charging from the back of the pack to take his second victory of the season, followed by Gillim in second and Tyler O’Hara in third to complete the Indian Challenger podium sweep. In Race 2, 2026 Champion Gillim added another podium to his season, bringing his No. 69 home in third to close out the 2026 campaign.
“King of the Baggers represents the largest class of motorcycles sold in the United States, and this season has invigorated excitement and enthusiasm for American V-Twin riders all around the globe,” said Kennedy. “At the end of the day, it’s the average rider who benefits most from the competition between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson. We’re extremely proud of our success this season but certainly expect the team from Milwaukee to be ready to fight for that No. 1 plate come Daytona 2027.”
Gillim’s championship marked Indian Motorcycle’s fourth King of the Baggers title, joining O’Hara (2020, 2022) and Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle champions. After securing the championship with two races remaining, Gillim closed out his first season with the Indian Motorcycle Factory team having rewritten the single-season wins record with eight victories, highlighting the team’s record-setting campaign.
With the 2026 season now in the books, the team’s focus already turns to 2027. With Gillim and Herfoss returning to the lineup, the program will enter the next season with its championship-winning rider pairing intact and its sights set on another run at the King of the Baggers title.
