New Jersey Motorsports Park, NJ – October 1, 2024 – Real Steel Motorsports rider Hayden Gillim has clinched his second consecutive MotoAmerica Stock 1000 National Championship after a commanding performance in the final round of the 2024 season this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Racing under the challenging rainy conditions, Gillim showcased his skill and determination, securing victories on both Saturday and Sunday aboard the powerful CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

With strong backing from Southern Powersports, a Tennessee-based dealership, Gillim dominated the series, winning seven out of ten races throughout the season. The 29-year-old native of Owensboro, Kentucky, has a storied racing history, having won his first Amateur Dirt Track Grand Championship at just six years old. As a cousin to the legendary Hayden brothers, Gillim honors their legacy by racing with number 69, a tribute to the late Nicky Hayden, who achieved remarkable success on Hondas.

This season, Gillim proudly displayed the number 1 plate, representing his championship win from the previous year. He kicked off the season with victories at the Alabama opener but faced challenges in Minnesota and Washington, where he crashed out of the lead during the second races. However, he bounced back with a strong performance at Laguna Seca, finishing on the podium before ending the season in triumphant fashion with a double win at New Jersey.

“We raced against Geoff May last year and saw what he was able to do on the Honda,” Gillim explained. “When Honda’s contingency numbers came out, it played a big role in our decision to switch brands, especially with the support from Southern Powersports. The guys at Real Steel Motorsports gave us an incredible bike, and we improved tremendously this year—making 25 more horsepower than last year’s model. After a couple of mid-season mishaps, I focused on managing my ride better, which allowed us to finish the season strong.”

This championship marks a significant milestone for both Gillim and the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, representing Honda’s first AMA road racing crown since Jake Zemke won the 2008 Formula Xtreme championship aboard a CBR600RR.

Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda, expressed his gratitude: “On behalf of everyone at American Honda, a huge congratulations and thank-you to Hayden, Real Steel Motorsports, and Southern Powersports. The dominance displayed in Stock 1000, with Honda riders taking 80 percent of the wins, is a testament to the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP’s competitive edge. We’re excited to see Honda back on top in AMA professional racing.”

As the 2024 MotoAmerica season wraps up, Hayden Gillim looks ahead to future challenges with a renewed sense of confidence and the backing of a winning team.