J.R. Gray won for the second time this season in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series on Sunday at Bristol Dragway, defeating his Al-Anabi Performance teammate Mike Stavrinos in the final round as part of this weekend’s 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
This weekend’s event, powered by Cardinal Insurance, was the fifth stop in the 10-race 2025 NHRA Pro Mod season.
After a lengthy rain delay, Gray and Stavrinos had a thrilling side-by-side race in the final round, with Gray slipping past Stavrinos with a standout run of 5.762 seconds at 250.46 mph. It was the quickest run of Sunday’s eliminations and handed Gray his third career NHRA Pro Mod victory.
To get to the final round, Gray defeated Chip King, Stevie Jackson and Rickie Smith, and then chased down Stavrinos by a thin margin at the finish line. Gray also leaves Bristol in the points lead.
“Man, this is all about redemption,” Gray said. “The whole crew has been putting in the hours, and they’ve been making it happen.”
Stavrinos reached the championship round for the third time this season, defeating Derek Menholt, Alex Laughlin and Billy Banaka. He is second in points at the halfway mark of the year.
The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to action June 20-22 with the fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Va.
This story was originally published on June 9, 2025. 
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