Hayden Gillim has officially clinched the 2026 King of the Baggers championship at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with two races still remaining. The American rider secured the title for Indian Motorcycle in dominant fashion during his debut season with the factory team.
For Indian, this marks their fourth championship in KOTB history, further extending their lead over Harley-Davidson in the manufacturers' standings with a 4-3 advantage. The rivalry between the two iconic American brands continues to be the central storyline of the series, and this season Indian has once again proven its superiority.
Dominance from the Start
Gillim, riding for the official J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team, has been remarkably consistent with eight wins and two second-place finishes. That tally even set a new record for most victories in a single KOTB season. It's no surprise he was able to wrap up the title early, even before the final round.
The rider of the #69 Indian Challenger showed quick adaptation to the bagger, a machine that has been the weapon of choice in the class. The combination of a powerful V-twin engine and a stable chassis in corners allowed Gillim to push his bike to the limit on various tracks.
Race 1: Drama at COTA
The decisive weekend at COTA kicked off with the first race on Saturday. Troy Herfoss, Gillim's teammate, took the early lead on the #17 Challenger. Meanwhile, Gillim, starting from fifth, had to work his way through the field.
By lap two, Gillim was already in third after passing Harley-Davidson's Bradley Smith. Fortune favored him when Herfoss crashed while leading, handing Gillim the top spot, which he held to the checkered flag. The podium was made even sweeter for Indian as Rocco Landers finished third on the #97 Challenger.
Race 2: Three Riders, One Victory
Sunday's second race delivered a fierce battle between Gillim, Herfoss, and Smith. Gillim again got a strong start and led early, but Smith managed to pass Herfoss and latched onto Gillim's tail. The trio then engaged in an intense fight, swapping positions with mere tenths separating them.
With four laps to go, Smith found a gap on the inside of Gillim to take the lead. On the same lap, Herfoss encountered more problems and lost positions. Gillim initially tried to respond but ultimately chose not to take unnecessary risks with the championship in sight. A smart strategy that showcased the maturity of a champion.
With this title, Gillim caps off his debut season with Indian in the best possible way. This achievement also signals that Indian Motorcycle is ready to dominate KOTB in the coming years, especially with the support of a solid factory team and talented young riders like Landers.
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