Stan Shelton secured his first career victory in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, defeating Mason Wright in the final round at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday. This marked the second consecutive race in which a first-time winner claimed victory as part of the NHRA Midwest Nationals.

The event was the third of four in the category’s “Road to the Championship” playoffs and was powered by M&M Transmission and Jerry Bickel Race Cars. It also represented the ninth of 10 races in the 2024 season.

Shelton advanced to the final by defeating Michael Stavrinos, Lyle Barnett, and defending event winner Jordan Lazic. He recorded a time of 5.786 seconds at 245.58 mph in his Culp Lumber Ford Mustang, edging out Wright’s time of 5.806 seconds at 234.66 mph.

After qualifying 11th, Shelton achieved reaction times of .010, .013, and .011 in the first three rounds to set up his final run. 

“This is very difficult to win. This class is so challenging and today was the day,” Shelton said. “My crew did an awesome job and this feels great. We’ve got such a great thing going on in Pro Mod and driver is such a small part in getting one of these. The crew are the ones doing everything behind the scenes and I just had to do my job.”

In a dramatic weekend, Khalid Al Balooshi took the points lead despite being eliminated in the second round. Justin Bond moved to second place, just 12 points behind, while Lazic sits in third, 24 points off the lead.

Wright reached the final for the second time in his career after defeating Chip King, defending world champion Mike Castellana, and Bond.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ will conclude its 2024 season at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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ROUND ONE — Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 5.738, 249.76 def. Kevin Rivenbark, Ford Mustang, 5.821, 246.98; Jordan Lazic, Camaro, 5.777, 248.98 def. Nick Januik, Chevy Corvette, 5.904, 242.19; JR Gray, Camaro, 5.769, 248.98 def. Dmitry Samorukov, Camaro, 6.064, 241.07; Justin Bond, Camaro, 5.772, 245.23 def. Billy Banaka, Camaro, 5.740, 249.03; Lyle Barnett, Camaro, 5.805, 244.74 def. Kris Thorne, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Stan Shelton, Mustang, 5.766, 245.99 def. Mike Stavrinos, Camaro, 5.781, 245.27; Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.796, 249.95 def. Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 8.061,

115.59; Mason Wright, Camaro, 5.728, 250.32 def. Chip King, Dodge Charger, 7.158, 128.10;

QUARTERFINALS — Shelton, 5.811, 244.92 def. Barnett, 5.818, 244.65; Lazic, 5.741, 249.39 def. Gray, 5.766, 250.51; Wright, 5.744, 249.53 def. Castellana, Foul – Red Light; Bond, 6.768, 150.11 def. alBalooshi, Broke;

SEMIFINALS — Shelton, 5.841, 244.92 def. Lazic, 6.744, 146.42; Wright, 5.742, 249.35 def. Bond, 5.792, 244.83;

FINAL — Shelton, 5.786, 245.58 def. Wright, 5.806, 234.66.

Point standings (top 10) following the 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway. The race is the ninth of 10 events in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+.

1. Khalid alBalooshi, 956; 2. Justin Bond, 944; 3. Jordan Lazic, 932; 4. Ken Quartuccio, 930; 5. Mason Wright, 921; 6. Kris Thorne, 918; 7. Kevin Rivenbark, 906; 8. Billy Banaka, 887; 9. Dmitry Samorukov, 881; 10. Mike Castellana, 876.