Stacked Pro Mod Field Set for Indy as Championship Battle Heats Up at U.S. Nationals

Derek Menholt celebrates victory at Route 66, proudly holding his trophy next to his vibrant orange NHRA Pro Mod race car.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The biggest race of the year is here, and the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports is bringing a loaded 21-car field to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for this week’s 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Indy always carries extra weight. It is the race every driver wants on their résumé, but with the championship battle tightening, this year’s U.S. Nationals could also play a major role in shaping the final stages of the 2026 title fight.

The official entry list features 21 Pro Mod competitors, including the leading championship contenders, proven veterans, returning racers and several fresh combinations that should make qualifying just as compelling as eliminations. 

Menholt Leads, But the Championship Is Wide Open

Derek Menholt arrives in Indianapolis holding the championship lead with 854 points, but there is almost no room for error.

Mike Stavrinos sits just 13 points back at 841, while Billy Banaka is only two points further behind at 839. Justin Bond remains right in the mix with 822 points, leaving the top four separated by only 32 points.

Based on the current standings, Menholt must be considered the man to beat entering Indy, but the margin is small enough that one early-round exit could completely reshape the championship picture.

Stavrinos and Banaka are both within striking distance, while Bond remains close enough to take advantage of any mistake ahead of him.

The pressure does not stop with the top four.

Lyle Barnett and Jason Collins are tied at 793 points, followed by Stan Shelton at 782, Mike Thielen at 781, Kevin Rivenbark at 771, and defending champion J.R. Gray at 765.

Gray may sit 10th, but he remains one of the most dangerous names in the field. As the reigning NHRA Pro Mod World Champion, a deep run at Indy could quickly move him back into serious title contention.

The entire championship top 10 is entered this weekend, ensuring that nearly every round of eliminations could have implications well beyond the U.S. Nationals itself. 

Peter Norton Makes First NHRA Start at the Big Go

One of the major stories of the weekend will be Peter Norton, who will make his first NHRA appearance in Pro Mod at the sport’s biggest event.

Norton is entered in the 1969 Chevrolet for Hurricane Specialized LLC, stepping directly into one of the strongest fields of the season. 

After spending the past eight months developing the program, Norton believes the time is right to make the jump.

“We have worked hard to build our program over the last eight months, and now we feel it’s time to try our hand at the NHRA. What better place to do it than our home track and the Big Go!” Norton said.

Making a first NHRA start at Indy is no small assignment, particularly with 21 cars fighting for just 16 qualifying positions, but Norton’s debut gives fans another intriguing storyline to follow throughout qualifying.

Shane Gray Returns to NHRA Pro Mod

Another major addition to the field is Shane Gray, who returns to NHRA competition and, notably, to Pro Mod.

Gray is entered in the 2026 Camaro for Elite Motorsports, adding another proven veteran to a field already packed with experience. 

With no championship points battle to manage, Gray can focus entirely on performance and winning rounds, making him the type of wildcard no championship contender wants to face early on Monday.

Nick Januik Brings a New Camaro to Indy

There will also be plenty of attention around Nick Januik, who arrives at the U.S. Nationals with a new Camaro.

Januik is officially listed in the Indy field under Redline/Star/CP/NGK/Fuel Factory, giving the team a fresh combination to unveil on the biggest stage of the season. 

For Januik, Indy represents an opportunity not only to put the new car through its first major NHRA test, but also to establish it immediately against one of the deepest fields Pro Mod will see all year.

Paul Daigrepont Returns After 18-Month Hiatus

The U.S. Nationals will also mark the return of Paul Daigrepont, who is back in NHRA Pro Mod competition following an approximately 18-month hiatus.

Daigrepont is entered in a 2026 Corvette for CRC Industries LLC, adding yet another interesting storyline to an already stacked weekend. 

Three Nitrous Cars Add Another Dimension

Adding even more variety to the field will be the presence of three nitrous-powered entries.

Veterans Rickie Smith, Tony Wilson and Jimmy Widener bring three very different cars and a huge amount of experience to Indianapolis.

The official entry list includes Smith in the Ford, Wilson in the Willys and Widener in the Corvette. 

Their presence creates another compelling question for the weekend: can one of the nitrous combinations break through against the established supercharged and procharged contenders?

Smith brings decades of Pro Mod knowledge, and his experience alone makes him a potential problem for anyone who draws him in eliminations.

No Easy Path into Monday

Beyond the championship leaders and headline additions, the field is deep from top to bottom.

With 21 cars chasing 16 qualifying positions, five teams will not make Monday eliminations. 

That makes qualifying a story.

For Menholt, Stavrinos, Banaka and Bond, the mission will be to qualify strongly and avoid giving away ground in the championship.

For Barnett, Collins, Shelton, Thielen, Rivenbark and Gray, Indy presents the chance to close the gap and turn a strong weekend into renewed title momentum.

And for drivers such as Norton, Shane Gray, Januik, Daigrepont, Smith, Wilson and Widener, there is another opportunity entirely — to upset the championship order and leave Indianapolis with one of the most coveted trophies in drag racing.

At the Big Go, there will be no easy passes and no easy wins.