Mike Stavrinos Takes Home the Diamond Wally at the Inaugural NHRA Nationals at the Rock

By Rachael Everett

Image: Mike Stavrinos holds high his NHRA Nationals Diamond Wally

After a turbulent start for the final round due to a technical issue with the tree, Mike Stavrinos delivered when it mattered most.

Stavrinos grabbed the advantage at the hit and held on for a holeshot victory over Justin Bond in the final, turning a quicker reaction time into the inaugural NHRA Nationals at the Rock win and the Diamond Wally.

Eliminations delivered plenty of drama, with holeshot wins, tire shake and explosions throughout the field.

Round 1 saw Lyle Barnett red-light at the tree, bringing a difficult weekend to an early end.

Stevie Jackson secured the opening-round win over Billy Banaka, but an explosion under the hood at the finish line left him unable to make the call for Round 2. That handed Rickie “Tricky” Smith an automatic berth into the semifinals.

Tony Wilson was also no stranger to heartbreak after shaking the tires in Round 2, leaving him unable to get past Bond for a place in the semifinals.

The semifinals set the stage for a Stavrinos-Bond showdown with the two also sitting at 1st and 2nd in the standings coming into The Rock.

Stavrinos got past Smith to secure his place in the final. On the other side of the ladder, Bond defeated No. 1 qualifier Derek Menholt to advance, putting the two drivers head-to-head with the Diamond Wally on the line.

Stavrinos ultimately made the difference at the starting line, getting away first and holding on to secure the holeshot victory, the Diamond Wally and an important haul of championship points.

With the win, Stavrinos moves to the top of the standings heading into St. Louis, with the final round happening in Las Vegas that has extra points up for grabs. 

Every pass is high stakes in the final leg of the Road to the Championship.