September 20, 2026, saw Hayden Gillim and Indian Motorcycle Racing conclude their dominant run through the 2026 King of the Baggers (KOTB) season at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, clinching the championship and setting a new record for most wins in a single KOTB season.
In his first season with the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team, Gillim's eight victories and two second-place finishes were enough to secure the championship with two races remaining. The 2026 title marks Indian Motorcycle's fourth King of the Baggers championship.
"This is monumental, not just for Hayden and the team, but for our dealers, riders and our entire company," said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. "We started this season with a brand-new race team that had limited time with the Indian Challenger prior to Daytona.
"We knew we had the superior machine, an elite race team in Vance & Hines, and a stable of incredibly talented riders, but this is racing. You still have to line up and perform. That's exactly what we did, race after race. To secure the championship with two races remaining and break the record for most wins in a single season is a testament to every person on this team who pours their heart and soul into this program."
Gillim's championship further solidifies the partnership between Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines, "showcasing the engineering, durability and relentless performance that have made the Indian Challenger a benchmark in King of the Baggers competition."
Gillim's 2026 title breaks the manufacturer championship tie and gives Indian Motorcycle the edge in the all-time KOTB championship count, four titles to Harley-Davidson's three. Gillim joins Tyler O'Hara (2020, 2022) and Troy Herfoss (2024) as Indian Motorcycle KOTB Champions.
