Justin Bond Crowned NHRA Pro Mod World Champion as Billy Banaka Sweeps Special Awards in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV – November 2, 2026 — The 2026 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports delivered a spectacular conclusion at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Justin Bond capturing both the event victory and his first NHRA Pro Mod World Championship in a dramatic winner-take-all final against Mike Stavrinos.
The season-ending Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, powered by Penske Racing Shocks and presented by Precision Racing Suspension, brought the 11-race championship to a fitting conclusion, with five drivers entering eliminations still in mathematical contention for the world title.
While Bond claimed the ultimate prize, Billy Banaka enjoyed a memorable weekend, sweeping three prestigious special awards: the Innovative Health Insurance Advisors Showdown, the KTR Top Qualifier Award and the season-long FuelTech King of the Stripe title.
It was a fitting finale to one of the most competitive and unpredictable seasons in NHRA Pro Mod history.
Justin Bond's Road to the World Championship
Justin Bond arrived in Las Vegas leading the championship standings, with Mike Stavrinos, Derek Menholt, defending champion JR Gray, and Billy Banaka all chasing the season's biggest prize.
Qualifying fifth with a 5.734-second pass, Bond faced a formidable elimination ladder and knew that every round would be critical to securing the championship. He opened Sunday eliminations with a commanding 5.684-second run at 250.92 mph against Shane Gray, immediately establishing himself as a serious threat.
The quarterfinals produced one of the weekend's most significant championship moments when Bond faced fellow title contender Derek Menholt. Bond delivered a 5.678-second pass at 251.44 mph to advance, ending Menholt's championship pursuit and moving one step closer to the title.
The semifinals brought an even tougher challenge against Billy Banaka. Banaka posted a stunning 5.667 seconds, but Bond's superior reaction time made the difference. His 5.678-second run was enough to secure the holeshot victory and keep his championship dream alive.
On the opposite side of the ladder, Stavrinos survived a dramatic semifinal against reigning champion JR Gray. Gray's red-light start sent Stavrinos through despite serious engine trouble, setting up the ultimate championship showdown.
Stavrinos launched first in the final, but mechanical problems struck again as Bond powered through the second half of the track. Bond crossed the finish line in 5.660 seconds at 253.47 mph, defeating Stavrinos' 5.791 at 230.69 mph.
The victory delivered Bond his eighth career NHRA Pro Mod event win, second victory of the 2026 season and, most importantly, his first world championship.
For Bond and the JBS Motorsport team, it was the ultimate reward for a campaign that included four final-round appearances, two No. 1 qualifying performances and an impressive late-season charge that saw him contest three of the final four event finals.
Billy Banaka Sweeps Three Major Awards in Las Vegas
While Bond took the championship spotlight, Billy Banaka delivered one of the weekend's most impressive all-around performances of the Las Vegas weekend, earning three major awards and showing the speed and consistency that made him a championship contender throughout 2026.
Innovative Health Insurance Advisors Showdown Winner
Banaka won the Innovative Health Insurance Advisors Showdown, adding another significant accomplishment to his season. The special competition gave NHRA Pro Mod competitors another chance to showcase their performance on the national stage.
KTR Top Qualifier Award Winner
Banaka secured the No. 1 qualifying position with a blistering 5.694-second pass at 251.72 mph, earning the KTR Top Qualifier Award and reinforcing his reputation as one of the category's strongest performers.
2026 FuelTech King of the Stripe Champion
Capping off his remarkable weekend, Banaka was officially crowned the 2026 FuelTech King of the Stripe winner. The season-long competition recognizes exceptional on-track performance and the speed, consistency, and precision required to compete at the highest level of NHRA Pro Mod racing.
With performances reaching historic levels throughout the 2026 season, Banaka's FuelTech King of the Stripe title represents another significant achievement for his team and a fitting reward for their dedication to performance excellence.
Banaka carried his strong qualifying form into Sunday's eliminations, defeating Mike Castellana in the opening round before advancing through the quarterfinals and into the semifinals against Bond.
In that semifinal, Banaka posted an outstanding 5.667-second elapsed time at 252.95 mph, one of the fastest elimination runs. Despite losing on a holeshot, the performance showed his program's competitive strength.
Banaka ultimately finished fifth in the championship standings, completing another impressive season.
A Championship Season to Remember
The 2026 NHRA Pro Mod season delivered extraordinary competition, new venues, remarkable performances, and a championship battle that remained undecided until the final run of the final race.
Mike Stavrinos finished runner-up in the championship after an outstanding campaign that included four final-round appearances, while defending champion JR Gray finished third and Derek Menholt fourth.
Throughout the season, competitors continued to push the boundaries of Pro Mod performance, with elapsed times reaching unprecedented levels and some of the quickest fields in class history.
The championship featured multiple event winners, dramatic points swings, and an intensely competitive Road to the Championship, keeping the world title in contention until the final moments in Las Vegas.
Celebrating Our Partners and Pro Mod Community
The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, presented by Elite Motorsports, extends its sincere appreciation to the partners, racers, teams, and supporters who made for an exceptional 2026 season.
JBS Equipment, as the Series Title Sponsor, JBS Equipment played a pivotal role in supporting the championship and strengthening the visibility, competitiveness, and future of NHRA Pro Mod racing.
Elite Motorsports, as Presenting Sponsor, has continued its commitment to professional drag racing, providing valuable support to the series and its competitors throughout the season.
Special recognition goes to Penske Racing Shocks and Precision Racing Suspension for supporting the Las Vegas season finale, along with Innovative Health Insurance Advisors, KTR, and FuelTech, whose involvement in the series' special competitions and performance awards adds further excitement, recognition, and opportunity for our racers.
We also thank the NHRA, our event sponsors, technical and marketing partners, race teams, crew members, officials, and dedicated fans who made the 2026 championship possible.
And to our newly crowned world champion, Justin Bond, and the entire JBS Motorsport team, congratulations on an outstanding achievement.
Justin Bond leaves Las Vegas as the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod World Champion, while Billy Banaka celebrates a remarkable sweep of three prestigious awards — bringing an unforgettable season to a spectacular close.
