Mike Stavrinos Gets First NHRA Pro Mod Win after Gatornationals Triumph in Phoenix at Race Powered by FuelTech

Stavrinos also finishes as No. 1 qualifier for NHRA Arizona Nationals powered by LAT Racing Oils

PHOENIX, AZ – March 23, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Mike Stavrinos enjoyed a spectacular Saturday at a sold-out Firebird Motorsports Park, winning his first career Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series race, defeating Rickie Smith in the final round of the postponed NHRA Gatornationals and also qualifying No. 1 for this weekend’s Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.

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 doesn’t feel real right now. I’ve wanted one of these (Wallys) since I was a little kid,” Stavrinos said. “I can’t tell you how much this means. I’m a little emotional right now. It’s awesome and the guys worked so hard on this. 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. To be No. 1 qualifier and win the Gatornationals, hats off to all my guys. They deserve this.”

Stavrinos took down Kevin Rivenbark, Justin Bond and J.R. Gray to reach the final round.

As if the victory wasn’t good enough, Stavrinos also qualified No. 1 for Sunday’s race, which is powered by LAT Racing Oils. He went 5.725 at 248.61 to headline a loaded field in Phoenix. Stavrinos opens eliminations against Dymtry Samorukov on Sunday.

To advance to the final round, Smith defeated Billy Banaka and Gainesville No. 1 qualifier Jason Scruggs.

Eliminations for the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Series begins at 12:25 p.m. MT on Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park.

About LAT Racing Oils

LAT’s substantial investments, “at track” first-hand knowledge, and superior chemical engineering and blending capabilities, have proved to be more than empty claims as vehicles and watercraft competing in a vast array of competition venues, have worked their way to the top using LAT products. Both NHRA Pro Mod World Champions, Jose Gonzalez in 2021, and Kris Thorne in 2022 use LAT Oils to claim the Championship podium and many of their closest competitors are also relying on LAT engine, transmission, and gear oils. Founded in 2007 by a duo of professional racers in search of the elusive “edge”. They recognized the potential for increasing horsepower, reliability and longevity using advanced lubrication technology to fine tune engine transmissions and final drive gears. Based on that premise LAT was established with the sole purpose of developing superior performing synthetic and petroleum racing oils, regardless of cost. Since then, LAT has developed a complete line of high performance engine break-in oils to include PRO-15, 5w30 and 20w50. Additionally, the introduction of LAT’s Pro ATF caught even the most hardcore skeptics off guard by substantially reducing operating temperatures while providing stable, consistent pressure readings.

The LAT Oils dealer program gives racers access to over 30 dealer locations in the United States making your purchase of LAT Oils easier to access. Find your local LAT Racing Oils dealer at www.latracingoils.com

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association

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