As Indian Motorcycle transitions to new ownership, its King Of The Baggers factory racing team will also undergo some changes as the 2026 season approaches. Through a new multiyear agreement, Indian Motorcycle’s factory KOTB team will be overseen by aftermarket provider Vance & Hines.
The new Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines factory team will include Troy Herfoss, Hayden Gillim, and Rocco Landers. Herfoss stole the show in 2024 when he won the championship on the factory Indian team during his first year of bagger racing. Hayden Gillim comes over from the Vance & Hines team after winning the 2023 championship on a Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Rocco Landers also comes from the Vance & Hines Harley team and finished the 2025 season in 7th place. Missing from the factory Indian team roster are two-time champ Tyler O’Hara and 2025 newcomer Loris Baz.
The announcement also claims that the team will race aboard an all-new Indian Challenger modified by Vance & Hines. Further details about the new bike are yet to be revealed.
“Indian Motorcycle is entering a new era in its historic journey in 2026, and the first place we plan to prove it is on the racetrack,” said Mike Kennedy, new Indian Motorcycle CEO and previous president and CEO of Vance & Hines. “This partnership is a reminder of what American performance looks like when you refuse to back down. As the leading aftermarket supplier for V-Twin performance, with nearly 50 years of innovation and racing success, Vance & Hines is the ideal partner to drive the next era of Indian Motorcycle racing, and we couldn’t be more excited to get started.”
Since the first King Of The Baggers race in 2020, Indian and Harley have swapped the title back and forth, with Indian winning in 2020 (O’Hara), 2022 (O’Hara), and 2024 (Herfoss). Vance & Hines took the championship in 2023 with rider Hayden Gillim. Through this new partnership, the team hopes to capitalize on the talents and expertise from both racing crews heading into the 2026 series, which kicks off with a double-header at Daytona International Speedway, March 5-7.
“Indian Motorcycle is legendary. A brand built through racing, and over the past decade it’s been a fierce competitor that has pushed us to innovate both on and off the track,” said Terry Vance, co-founder and owner of Vance & Hines Motorsports. “Right out of the box, the Indian Challenger and its liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine bring a high-performance, reliable machine that’s capable of winning every time it lines up on the grid. Having witnessed its capabilities since the inception of the class, we’re thrilled to continue the development of this dynamic platform in partnership with Indian Motorcycle as we push for another MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers championship in 2026.”
Find more information on the Indian Motorcycle website or the Vance & Hines website. Visit American Rider’s Competition page to stay up to date on all King Of The Baggers and American Flat Track racing news and results.
