PHILADELPHIA – NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Richard Gadson will celebrate a meaningful milestone when he rolls into Maple Grove Raceway for the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, September 11-14. One year ago at this very track, Gadson quietly welcomed a group of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) youth to the races, a gesture that has since grown into a season-long initiative supported by Werner Communications.

Now in his second season with Vance & Hines Motorsports, Gadson has hosted BBBS groups at three races so far in 2025, including events in Charlotte, Chicago and Indianapolis. Reading will mark the one-year anniversary of the program, with St. Louis and Dallas still to come.

“Last year and even at the beginning of this year, I more so emphasized to the kids about chasing their dreams,” said Gadson. “I think the success that I’ve had lately transforms the message from beyond chasing their dreams to showing them that they can reach their goals and they can win at these things. I’m now speaking truth by telling a story of success, from having it happen to me.” Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA – Pro Stock Motorcycle championship contender Richard Gadson, rider of the RevZilla Vance & Hines Suzuki, will be hosting representatives from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization along with their “Littles” at six NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events beginning with next weekend’s NHRA American Rebel Light Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. As a young man being raised by a single parent Big Brothers Big Sisters was an integral part of Gadson’s early support system. The native of the Philadelphia area brought a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters to the NHRA Reading Nationals in 2024 and this season he wants to expand the program.

“My father passed away when I was just 6 years old,” said Gadson. “My mom did everything she could to provide for me and my siblings, which took a lot of sacrifice. Being an inner-city Philadelphia youth, it posed challenges for a single parent. To help her by giving us a better shot at life, my mom signed my sister and I up for mentors through BBBS of America.”

“Last year I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing, not even my Vance & Hines teammates,” said Gadson, who was a finalist for NHRA Rookie of the Year in 2024. “I arranged for the tickets and gave about 10 people a tour of our pits and talked about how Big Brothers changed my life. It was cool to give back and during the offseason Elon Werner (president of Werner Communications) reached out about helping me make this a bigger deal. I am excited to share something I love, NHRA drag racing, with some kids who maybe wouldn’t otherwise get this experience.” Continue reading →