Mike Stavrinos drove to the biggest win in his Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series career on Monday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, taking down Derek Menholt in the championship round at the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
The world’s biggest drag race started the category’s four-race “Road to the Championship” playoffs and the event, which is the seventh of 10 in 2025, was powered by Logan Industries.
Stavrinos advanced to the final round at The Big Go last year but fell to Ken Quartuccio in heartbreaking fashion. The standout got his redemption on Monday against Menholt, going 5.719-seconds at 251.63 mph in his Al-Anabi Performance Chevrolet Camaro to pull away for the impressive victory.
It is Stavrinos’ third win this season, but Monday’s will certainly stand tall as he moves in to the points lead as well.
To reach the final round for fourth time this season, Stavrinos defeated Chip King, Sidnei Frigo and No. 1 qualifier Stevie Jackson.
“One year ago, we came up short and I told myself I was going to win this thing next year,” Stavrinos said. “I promised myself I was going to win this deal and we did just that, and I give all the credit to my crew. We came in, qualified well and put it in the winner’s circle.
“To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best and I’ve looked up to Stevie for many years. I was really looking forward to racing him today. The Indy win is huge and now we’re going to focus on the world championship.”
Menholt reached his first-ever NHRA Pro Mod final round on the strength of round wins against J.R. Gray, Rickie Smith and Quartuccio.
Stavrinos hold a 61-point lead over J.R. Gray, while Rickie Smith third, 68 points out of first.
The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to action on Sept. 19-21 with the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
This story was originally published on September 1, 2025. 
