The road to victory in NHRA Pro Mod racing is rarely straightforward, but Jason Collins may have taken one of the most unconventional routes to the winner’s circle this season.
On a wild Sunday at Bristol Dragway, Collins battled through mechanical challenges, on-track drama, and a heart-stopping final round to capture his second victory of the season in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports. The win came during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the sixth and final regular-season race before the start of the Road to the Championship playoffs.
When the dust settled, Collins stood in the winner’s circle with a trophy, a playoff berth, and plenty of stories to tell.
Bristol Delivers Another Dramatic NHRA Pro Mod Showdown
Bristol Dragway has built a reputation for producing memorable moments, and the 2026 edition of the Thunder Valley Nationals added another chapter to that history.
The championship round featured Collins against No. 1 qualifier Mike Stavrinos, who entered eliminations looking for his second victory of the season and seventh career final-round appearance.
The final was over almost before it began.
Stavrinos left the starting line too soon, triggering a red light by just .005 seconds. That mistake handed the advantage to Collins, but the race was far from routine. His car got loose downtrack and nearly crossed the centerline before he regained control and drove through for the victory.
The dramatic finish capped off a rollercoaster weekend for Collins.
“I wasn’t supposed to win today, but my car was really good,” Collins said. “I didn’t mean to tear it up, and that was a little close in the final. This one is all because of my crew. I had some luck, and my crew did a great job. I’m just out here chasing a dream, and it was unbelievable. Now, we’re in the playoffs and who knows what can happen.”
Adversity Nearly Ended Collins’ Day Early
Long before the final round, Collins faced a major obstacle that could have derailed his entire weekend.
During his second-round burnout, the car got loose and struck the center guard wall near the starting line in one of the most dramatic moments of eliminations. Many drivers would have seen their race day end right there. Instead, Collins and his team quickly regrouped.
After making sure the car was race-ready, Collins staged and delivered a strong 5.786-second pass at 247.79 mph to defeat Travis Harvey and keep his championship hopes alive.
That recovery effort showcased both the resilience of the driver and the determination of the team behind him.
Consistency Pays Off At The Right Time
Collins’ victory was no fluke.
The win marked his second triumph in the last three races and his third consecutive final-round appearance in one of NHRA’s most competitive categories. After defeating Harvey, Collins continued his charge by taking down Stan Shelton in the semifinals with a solid 5.798-second run at 247.52 mph.
Those performances not only secured another trophy but also locked Collins into the Road to the Championship playoffs. For a driver who entered the season searching for consistency, the recent surge couldn’t have come at a better time.
Stavrinos Continues Strong Championship Push
Despite the runner-up finish, Stavrinos remained one of the biggest stories of the weekend.
The No. 1 qualifier demonstrated why he has been one of the category’s most consistent performers in 2026. He reached the final round by defeating Alex Laughlin, reigning world champion J.R. Gray, and veteran Rickie Smith.
While the red-light loss was disappointing, Stavrinos leaves Bristol second in the championship standings and firmly positioned as a title contender entering the playoffs. His performance throughout the regular season has established him as one of the favorites to challenge for the championship.
Playoff Picture Officially Set
With the regular season now complete, attention turns to the Road to the Championship playoffs.
Derek Menholt enters the postseason as the points leader, while Stavrinos sits second. Collins’ Bristol victory helped elevate him into fourth place in the standings heading into the five-race playoff stretch.
The top five entering the playoffs are:
- Derek Menholt
- Mike Stavrinos
- Justin Bond
- Jason Collins
- Stan Shelton
The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports now shifts its focus to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, where the Road to the Championship officially begins June 25-28 during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
You might also like
Jonathan Allegrucci Joins Elite Company With Third Straight Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Victory
Jonathan Allegrucci continues to dominate in Factory Stock Showdown. Allegrucci picked up his third straight victory at Thunder Valley.
