A spectacular undefeated winning streak opens NHRA Congruity Pro Mod season racing….
Mike Stavrinos (from Florida) enjoyed a truly spectacular event at sold-out Firebird Motorsports Park in Arizona — winning both his first career Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series race and then going on to an undefeated weekend.
On Saturday, the skilled young gun driver defeated Rickie Smith in what was the final round of the postponed NHRA Gatornationals and while doing that qualifyed No. 1 for the weekend’s Arizona Nationals event.
The Gainesville event marked the opener for the category and was powered by FuelTech, as Stavrinos went 5.752-seconds at 247.52 in his AAP Camaro to take down Smith’s 5.796 at 249.81. It gave Stavrinos his first victory in NHRA Pro Mod, as well as a standout performance against a multi-time world champion in the category.
“It really didn’t feel real — I’ve wanted one of these (Wallys) since I was a little kid,” Stavrinos said. “I can’t tell you how much this means. We thrashed on these cars all winter just getting them ready. We didn’t have great results testing, but everyone just pulled together. Everyone involved in this whole deal is phenomenal.”
Stavrinos took down Kevin Rivenbark, Justin Bond and J.R. Gray to reach the final round.
To advance to the final round, Rickie Smith defeated Billy Banaka and Gainesville No. 1 qualifier Jason Scruggs.
Mike Stavrinos has started off NHRA’s Congruity Pro Mod season series with a serious roar – winning both of the new season’s event offerings!
Mike Stavrinos then kept that momentum going — when he claimed a second Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series trophy the next day at Firebird Motorsports Park by winning the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals event title. It capped a perfect weekend for Stavrinos as he scooped up two NHRA race wins in two days.
In the final round of the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Stavrinos powered his AAP Camaro to a 5.725-second pass at 248.43 mph to win again over opponent and multi-time world champion, Rickie Smith, capping off an incredible weekend for the young talent.
“This is something I wanted to do with my whole life, and we did it twice in one weekend,” Stavrinos said. “This isn’t even real to me. I really do owe it all to my crew. Without those guys, this wouldn’t happen. I’m just out here having fun.”
Stavrinos also won the Total Seal Pro Mod Showdown, which awarded $10,000 to the driver who put together the best E.T. average over the weekend’s four qualifying rounds. He was also the Low qualifier at Phoenix running 5.725 secs.
Stavrinos started his race day as the No. 1 qualifier and defeated Dymtry Samorukov, Kevin Rivenbark and reigning Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series champion Jordan Lazic (from Canada) before meeting Smith in the final round.
Smith had took down Jason Scruggs, Billy Banaka and Chip King before falling to Stavrinos in the championship round.
Pro Mod class racing at Phoenix was a swift affair – featuring a bump spot of 5.806 secs and 15/16 qualifiers running in the 5.7 secs zone.
Wily veteran racer Rickie Smith placed R/UP at both of NHRA’s first two races for 2025.
The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to action next month at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway on April 25-27 in Charlotte.
Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos courtesy of NHRA – Dave DeAngelis – Phil Hutchison
