NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Congruity NHRA Pro Mod championship to come down to the wire in Las Vegas

The Road to the Championship in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ hits the finish line next weekend in Las Vegas and only one thing is certain: the championship picture is wide-open and loaded with contenders.
24 Oct 2024
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Pro Mod

The Road to the Championship in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ hits the finish line next weekend in Las Vegas and only one thing is certain: the championship picture is wide-open and loaded with contenders.

With 16 drivers still mathematically alive in the title chase, an epic finale is in store for the thrilling class as part of the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

It is the last of 10 events during the 2024 season in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and the championship could come down to the final run of the season on Sunday in Las Vegas. Former world champion Khalid Al Balooshi is the current points leader, but there’s a host of contenders all within striking distance, especially with the points-and-a-half scenario in play in Vegas.

Round wins are worth 30 points and a there’s a maximum of 179 points up for grabs at the final race of the year. Justin Bond is just 12 points behind in second, with Jordan Lazic, who advanced to the semifinals in St. Louis, just 24 points out of first. Ken Quartuccio is only two points behind Lazic, with Mason Wright rounding out the top at just 35 points – or just more than one round – behind Al Balooshi.

1

Khalid Al Balooshi

956

2

Justin Bond

944

3

Jordan Lazic

932

4

Kenneth Quartuccio Jr

930

5

Mason Wright

921

6

Kristopher Thorne

918

7

Kevin Rivenbark

906

8

Billy Banaka

887

9

Dmitry Samorukov

881

10

Mike Castellana

876

11

Jose Gonzalez

875

12

Stan Shelton

858

13

JR Gray Jr

855

14

Michael Stavrinos

836

15

Lyle Barnett

796

16

Mike Thielen

780

17

Nicholas Januik

751

18

Tony Wilson

715

 

Minus Al Balooshi, all four drivers are seeking their first NHRA Pro Mod world championship. Bond and Lazic have been remarkably consistent in the loaded category, while Quartuccio picked up a thrilling win at the world’s biggest drag race, the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy. Wright, meanwhile, picked up the victory in Epping and was also runner-up at the most recent Pro Mod event in St. Louis.

But they’re hardly the only contenders. Former world champion Kris Thorne (-38) and Kevin Rivenbark (-50) are both within two rounds of Al-Balooshi, with the likes of Billy Banaka, Dmitry Samorukov, and former champions Mike Castellana and Jose Gonzalez close behind. Castellana clinched the title last year in Vegas, picking up the event win in the process and he’s hoping for another spectacular finish in 2024.

Thorne has advanced to three final rounds, winning in Bristol, while Gonzalez won the season-opener in Gainesville and Rivenbark took the victory in the category’s first-ever appearance in Phoenix. Just getting into the field will be difficult, as 23 cars are on the entry list in Las Vegas.

From there, it should be a spectacular and intense finish among the contenders, with each willing to do whatever it takes to finish with a championship in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+. 

Featuring the world’s fastest doorslammer race cars, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ offers something unique and exciting for every drag racing fan. The class continues to grow in popularity and is highlighted by historic muscle cars and a variety of late-model American muscle cars, as well as a number of different power adders.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ will kick off with two qualifying rounds on Friday, Nov. 1 at 11 AM and 5:10 PM PT, with the final two qualifying rounds set for 10:45 AM and 5:10 PM on Saturday, Nov. 2. The first round of eliminations is slated for 8:40 AM PT on Sunday, Nov. 3.
 
To purchase tickets to the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult.