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LAS VEGAS - Justin Bond clinched his first-ever championship in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports, beating Mike Stavrinos in a winner-take-all final round on Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of this weekend's MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge. It marked the final event of the 11-race season and the Road to the Championship playoffs, and the finale was powered by Penske Racing Shocks and presented by Precision Racing Suspension.
It netted Bond his second win of the season, but more importantly, his first world championship in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports. "I just want to thank my team. It's been a wild ride," Bond said following the victory and championship. "I don't know what else to say. I'm trying to keep my composure." To get his eighth career NHRA Pro Mod victory, Bond took down Shane Gray, championship contender Derek Menholt and Billy Banaka to reach the final round, running in the 5.60s over the final three rounds. Bond also beat Banaka on a holeshot in the semifinals, setting up the winner-take-all matchup with Stavrinos.
Stavrinos reached the finals for the fourth time this year, defeating Alex Laughlin, Nick Januik and J.R. Gray. The 2027 schedule for the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by Elite Motorsports will be announced in the coming weeks. Final round-by-round results from the 26th annual MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the final of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports. ROUND ONE -- Nick Januik, Chevy Camaro, 7.725, 124.34 def. Kevin Rivenbark, Ford Mustang, Foul - Red Light; Mike Thielen, Mustang, 7.062, 139.20 def. Stan Shelton, Mustang, Foul - Red Light; Derek Menholt, Chevy Corvette, 5.694, 247.38 def. Chip King, Dodge Charger, Foul - Red Light; Justin Bond, Camaro, 5.684, 250.92 def. Shane Gray, Camaro, 8.336, 110.75; Billy Banaka, Camaro, 5.694, 252.28 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.809, 245.90; JR Gray, Camaro, 5.695, 251.02 def. Jason Collins, Camaro, 5.748, 248.48; Mike Stavrinos, Camaro, 5.693, 250.64 def. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 5.947, 244.29; QUARTERFINALS -- Bond, 5.678, 251.44 def. Menholt, 6.011, 243.50; J. Gray, 7.594, 126.40 def. Thielen, Broke; Banaka, 5.702, 251.34 was unopposed; Stavrinos, 5.695, 250.64 def. Januik, 5.728, 249.76; SEMIFINALS -- Bond, 5.678, 251.49 def. Banaka, 5.667, 252.95; Stavrinos, 9.847, 66.17 def. J. Gray, Foul - Red Light; FINAL -- Bond, 5.660, 253.47 def. Stavrinos, 5.791, 230.69. Point standings (top 10) following the 26th annual MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the final of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports. 1. Justin Bond, 1,250; 2. Mike Stavrinos, 1,217; 3. JR Gray, 1,129; 4. Derek Menholt, 1,108; 5. Billy Banaka, 1,098; 6. Stan Shelton, 1,007; 7. Mike Thielen, 996; 8. Kevin Rivenbark, 917; 9. Chip King, 896; 10. Lyle Barnett, 890.
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