J. R. Gray stay Red-Hot with Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Series Victory in Richmond

DINWIDDIE, VA – June 23, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – J.R. Gray extended his incredible run in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, defeating Dmitry Samorukov in the final round to claim his third win in the past four races as part of this weekend’s American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals.

It was the sixth of 10 races during the 2025 NHRA Pro Mod season and this weekend’s event was powered by DPFXFIT by GESi to close out the regular season in the category.

Gray closed out the regular season in style in his Al-Anabi Performance Camaro, continuing a dominant run with a pass of 5.787-seconds at 251.49 mph to defeat Samorukov, who had an unfortunate showing in the championship round.

Samorukov lost control shortly off the starting line, hitting the left guardwall. He crossed the center line and then hit the right guardwall before coming to a stop. Samorukov was alert and exited the car under his own power and was examined onsite by NHRA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Surface before being released.

For Gray, it was the latest moment in a terrific 2025 campaign, as he won for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career. It was also his fourth straight final-round appearance as Gray continues to impress this season.

“I just believe everybody has to catch up,” Gray said. “We’re putting time in day in and day out, and there’s always somebody working on these cars. This is four finals in a row for me and we’ve been in every final round as a team this year, so we’re really ready.”

To reach the final round, Gray, who qualified second, defeated Doug Winters, Derek Menholt and Sidnei Frigo.

Before the final round, Samorukov enjoyed a strong weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, qualifying No. 1 with a 5.764 at 249.39 and then defeating former world champions Mike Castellana and Mike Janis, and Stan Shelton to reach the championship round for the second time in his career.

The points will reset for the final four races, with Gray taking the points lead into the playoffs as he looks for his first Congruity NHRA Pro Mod world championship.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series opens its Road to the Championship playoffs as part of the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

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DINWIDDIE, VA — Final finish order (1-16) at the Fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. The race is the sixth of 10 events in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED:
1. JR Gray; 2. Dmitry Samorukov; 3. Sidnei Frigo; 4. Stan Shelton; 5. Billy Banaka; 6. Mike Janis; 7. Derek Menholt; 8. Alex Laughlin; 9. Mason Wright; 10. Mike Stavrinos; 11. Chip King; 12. Rickie Smith; 13. Doug Winters; 14. Mike Castellana; 15. Khalid alBalooshi; 16. Ken Quartuccio.

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Sunday’s final results from the Fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. The race is the sixth of 10 events in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified — JR Gray, Chevy Camaro, 5.787, 251.49 def. Dmitry Samorukov, Chevy Corvette, Broke.

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Final round-by-round results from the Fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the sixth of 10 events in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE — Derek Menholt, Chevy Camaro, 5.800, 247.47 def. Ken Quartuccio, Camaro, Broke; Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 5.854, 236.80 def. Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, Foul – Red Light; Billy Banaka, Camaro, 5.811, 246.44 def. Mason Wright, Camaro, 5.816, 247.75; Sidnei Frigo, Camaro, 5.777, 249.35 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 11.588, 72.96; Mike Janis, Mustang, 5.830, 245.99 def. Chip King, Dodge Charger, 5.837, 242.32; Stan Shelton, Mustang, 5.832, 247.47 def. Mike Stavrinos, Camaro, 5.830, 248.75; JR Gray, Camaro, 5.800, 250.46 def. Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 9.948, 95.70; Dmitry Samorukov, Chevy Corvette, 5.870, 246.26 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 9.996, 96.31;

QUARTERFINALS — Shelton, 6.065, 197.10 def. Laughlin, Broke – No Show; Samorukov, 5.873, 244.65 def. Janis, 5.867, 243.81; Frigo, 5.829, 248.52 def. Banaka, 5.855, 245.45; Gray, 5.785, 250.55 def. Menholt, 6.295, 229.70;

SEMIFINALS — Samorukov, 5.845, 245.58 def. Shelton, 5.875, 244.56; Gray, 5.800, 249.86 def. Frigo, 5.829, 248.29;

FINAL — Gray, 5.787, 251.49 def. Samorukov, Broke.

DINWIDDIE, VA — Point standings (top 10) following the Fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the sixth of 10 events in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified

1. JR Gray, 639; 2. Mike Stavrinos, 467; 3. Rickie Smith, 404; 4. Billy Banaka, 393; 5. Mason Wright, 330; 6. Sidnei Frigo, 275; 7. (tie) Alex Laughlin, 274; Dmitry Samorukov, 274; 9. Stan Shelton, 265; 10. Mike Janis, 234.

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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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