When Richard Gadson finally gripped the Wally trophy at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals — the most prestigious prize in drag racing — his first feeling wasn’t triumph, but profound relief.

“The relief of chasing something for as long as you can remember,” Gadson told the Indianapolis Recorder. “Like something is in your hand, chasing it that long … it is a tremendous weight off of your shoulders. You feel like you’ve just lost 20 or 30 pounds.”

For Gadson, only the second African American to win in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) class, the moment symbolized far more than a career milestone. It represented the culmination of a 20-year odyssey fueled by family sacrifice, unwavering authenticity and a relentless drive to shatter barriers in a sport where diversity remain

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