ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Sept. 25, 2026) – Racing in a Pro Mod hotbed this weekend at Rockingham Dragway, the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports moves a step closer to crowning a champion as part of this weekend’s NHRA Nationals at The Rock.
It is the ninth of 11 races in the category and Culp Lumber powers this weekend’s event. It’s also the third of five races in Pro Mod’s Road to the Championship, putting a premium on performing well at a track that has a rich history of Pro Mod racing.
But it’s also the first time the NHRA Pro Mod Series has raced at the historic facility, adding even more intrigue and excitement to the weekend.
“We’re extremely proud to support the NHRA Pro Mod Series as NHRA makes history with its first national event at Rockingham Dragway,” said Amy Shelton, Executive at Culp Lumber. “As a third-generation, family-owned North Carolina company with a long-standing passion for motorsports, this is a special opportunity for us to support the sport we love while connecting with our employees, customers, partners, family, and friends. We’re excited to help welcome NHRA to Rockingham and be part of what promises to be a memorable weekend.”
Rockingham Dragway has a storied Pro Mod history and this weekend will only add to it as the NHRA Pro Mod Series nears the finish line during its memorable 2026 campaign.
The championship mix is loaded with contenders, but many will face the challenge of racing at The Rock for the first time.
Justin Bond is the current points leader with three races left, but Michael Stavrinos is just seven behind. Billy Banka is only 10 points back in third, while Derek Menholt, who was the points leader for several races this year, sits fourth at 15 points out of first.
Reigning world champ J.R. Gray made a big move in Indy, jumping to fifth with his first U.S. Nationals victory. Gray now trails Bond by only 40 points, while Stan Shelton is sixth and 89 points behind.
The rest of the loaded Pro Mod lineup in Rockingham includes the likes of champs Rickie Smith, Stevie Jackson and Mike Castellana, Lyle Barnett, former Pro Stock standout Shane Gray, Alex Laughlin and Jason Collins.
The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports features two qualifying rounds at 12:30 and 3 p.m. ET on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday.
A qualifying session from both Friday and Saturday, and a round of eliminations on Sunday will be broadcast for free on NHRA’s YouTube page. Fans can subscribe to the channel to be notified when the class goes live on NHRA’s YouTube page.
To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Nationals at The Rock, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
About Culp Lumber
Culp Lumber Company is a proud, family-owned business that has rooted itself in the heart of New London, North Carolina. Since the 1920s, when Henry Culp Sr. first established our original portable sawmill for local lake expansion, we have remained committed to growth and innovation in wood manufacturing, maintaining a deep connection to our community in the Southeast. Today, we are fortunate to employ over 100 dedicated individuals who share our passion for quality and sustainability. Our primary focus is on transforming southern yellow pine timber into essential building materials, and we take great pride in our ability to produce an impressive average of seven hundred thousand board feet each day. Additionally, we understand the importance of minimizing waste, ensuring that every part of our process contributes to creating products that benefit the public. At Culp Lumber Company, we are not just sawing wood; we are working together towards a sustainable future. For more information, please visit www.culplumber.com.
About NHRA
NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
