Veteran Pro Modified racer Billy Banaka picked up his long-awaited first career victory in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series on Sunday at zMAX Dragway in the wildest of fashion.

In the class’ only four-wide final round of the season at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals, Banaka defeated a quad consisting of Mike Castellana, Sidnei Frigo, and Mason Wright, as the only eligible entry remaining before the four cars even passed the Christmas tree.

Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

The silliness began as Wright rolled the starting line beams before the tree was activated. Castellana and Frigo, possibly reacting to Wright’s movement, closely followed. Banaka was ultimately the only driver to register a reaction time — -0.366 red, handing him what appeared to be an automatic victory. His ProCharger-boosted entry, however, got very near the centerline past half track, adding to the drama of the frenzied affair.

Billy Banaka coasted across the finish line with a 6.551-second run at 140.63 mph and picked up the victory in what was the first-ever playoff four-wide race in NHRA Pro Mod history.

“It’s very memorable. It was a little screwed up, but I thought I’d lost, really,” said Banaka. “I think the whole thing was a mess up, but it worked out in my favor. I’d like to thank my wife for being here, my crew chief, my whole family at home, my kids, and my whole crew. They did a great job.”

The wild win put Banaka in the points lead, as he now leads Mike Stavrinos (who shockingly failed to qualify at this event after winning the most recent playoff race in Indianapolis) by 34 points with two races remaining. Frigo is currently third, 55 points back of Banaka, and Wright is 65 points behind in fourth.

Banaka went 5.714 at 250 to win his opening-round quad, and he followed it with nearly identical 5.715 at 249.21 to advance to the final.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to action Sept. 26-28 at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.