The NHRA Pro Mod season opened with fireworks at the legendary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, as Derek Menholt kicked off the 2026 campaign with a statement win at Gainesville Raceway.
Menholt defeated Lyle Barnett in the final round of the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports, which was powered by FuelTech for the event. The victory marked the opening race of the Pro Mod series’ 25th season and delivered Menholt his second career win in the ultra-competitive category.
If there’s one thing the NHRA Pro Mod category consistently delivers, it’s unpredictable, high-stakes racing, and Gainesville was no exception.
Menholt entered eliminations from the No. 9 qualifying position in his ’69 Camaro, but once the ladder was set, the veteran driver found his rhythm. When racing was finished Sunday afternoon, Menholt was holding the first Pro Mod Wally of the season, and a special one at that. With the NHRA celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, the class winner earned a commemorative diamond Wally trophy.
Getting to the final round in Pro Mod is never easy, and Menholt had to navigate a tough lineup of competitors to get there. On his march to the final, Menholt defeated Mike Thielen, Chip King and reigning world champion J.R. Gray Meanwhile, Barnett had his own impressive path to the final by beating Mason Wright, Kevin Rivenbark and former world champion Mike Castellana.
Barnett left the starting line just a touch too early, turning on the red light by .003 seconds, which immediately handed the win to Menholt. Still, Menholt completed the pass with a strong 5.690-second run at 251.02 mph, sealing the victory in convincing fashion.
“It’s an amazing deal,” Menholt said. “I was worried the whole time about Lyle. He’s a great driver and it’s a good feeling to get this one. This is one we’ve been wanting. It’s a good race car.”
With the Gainesville victory, Menholt has now won two of the last three NHRA Pro Mod races, showing strong momentum as the 2026 season gets underway. That kind of early-season performance can be critical in a series that spans 11 races and routinely features razor-thin margins between victory and defeat. Starting the year with a win also puts Menholt squarely in the championship conversation as the season begins to take shape.
The category returns to action March 20–22 at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, presented by NGK Spark Plugs, at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
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