J. R. GRAY

Mod returned to action at the prestigious U. S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Gray suffered a rare firstround exit there and had a similar fate a couple weeks later at the Carolina Nationals at zMAX. He fell down the points standings with just two races left in the season. He got back on track in St. Louis, though, as he reached the semifinals at the Midwest Nationals to move back up to fourth.

Gray rolled into the season finale, the Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, knowing he could leave nothing on the table. He worked his way through eliminations, defeating Laughlin, multitime PDRA Pro Boost world champ Kevin Rivenbark, and past NHRA Pro Mod world champion Mike Castellana to meet Banaka in a winnertake-all final round. Gray left the line first and won with a 5.749 to Banaka’ s 5.763. Gray came out one single points ahead of Banaka in the championship standings.

“ It’ s just amazing for it to come down the last round,” Gray said.“ I just didn’ t let the pressure get to me and we worked together as a team. In that final round, I wasn’ t going to lift no matter what. It just felt amazing to see that win light pop up.”

Along with the world championship, which pays $ 50,000, Gray also secured the FuelTech King of the Stripe championship worth $ 10,000. Sweetening the deal for Gray was the fact that NHRA included the NHRA Pro Mod world champion in its Awards Banquet after the NHRA Finals for the first time ever.

When Gray took to the stage, he began by thanking team owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani – known simply as“ KH” – for his passion and commitment to the sport.

“ Without that drive, I wouldn’ t be standing here today,” Gray said.“ Your talent for building championship-winning teams is unmatched anywhere in the world. It is an honor to be representing AAP and the great nation of Qatar.”

Gray also praised the AAP team, which includes a core group of highly experienced tuners and crew members with varying backgrounds. Mark Savage leads the charge on Gray’ s car, while Todd“ King Tut” Tutterow is the lead tuner on Stavrinos’ machine.

“ No matter what challenges we faced, you made me look good, run after run,” Gray said.“ Mark Savage, you are a true savage crew chief and tuner. Grant O’ Rourke, you keep that bullet ready to fire 24 / 7. Ty Tutterow, one of the most well-rounded people in this sport – a championship driver and a championship crewman in the same year. Todd Tutterow, you bring wisdom and experience that elevates this entire operation. I’ d also like to thank David Cook, Rick D [ Ducusin ], and Spencer Toot for your dedication and support throughout the 2025 season.”

Gray rounded out his speech by thanking his family, including wife Hannah, their daughters, parents Brett and Debbie Henry, teammate Mike Stavrinos, and partners like W. B. Henry Contracting, Camtech Custom Baggers, and Red Electrical Designs. He closed the speech with a heartfelt shoutout to his late father.

“ Finally, my dad,‘ Iron Man’ Ron Gray, who gave me this great passion for drag racing at birth,” Gray said.“ Unfortunately, we lost him in 2013 to cancer, but the last couple weeks of his life, he told me to go buy a Pro Mod. I remember smiling, thinking,‘ Pro Mod?’ I was just a small grudge racer and a bracket racer with very little knowledge and money, but Dad, you planted that seed and look at the crop we are harvesting today: NHRA Pro Mod world championship. I dedicate this championship to you, Dad.” DI

24 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 198