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J.R. Gray Closes NHRA Pro Mod Regular Season at VMP with Another Win

J.R. Gray extended his incredible run in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, defeating Dmitry Samorukov in the final round to claim his third win in the past four races as part of this weekend’s American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals. It was the sixth of 10 […]

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J.R. Gray extended his incredible run in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, defeating Dmitry Samorukov in the final round to claim his third win in the past four races as part of this weekend’s American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals.

It was the sixth of 10 races during the 2025 NHRA Pro Mod season, and this weekend’s event was powered by DPFXFIT by GESi to close out the regular season in the category.

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Gray closed out the regular season in style in his Al-Anabi Performance Camaro, continuing a dominant run with a pass of 5.787 seconds at 251.49 mph to defeat Samorukov, who had an unfortunate showing in the championship round.

Samorukov lost control shortly off the starting line, hitting the left guard wall. He crossed the center line and then hit the right guard wall before coming to a stop. Samorukov was alert and exited the car under his own power and was examined onsite by NHRA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Surface before being released.

For Gray, it was the latest moment in a terrific 2025 campaign, as he won for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career. It was also his fourth straight final-round appearance as Gray continues to impress this season.

“I just believe everybody has to catch up,” Gray said. “We’re putting time in day in and day out, and there’s always somebody working on these cars. This is four finals in a row for me, and we’ve been in every final round as a team this year, so we’re really ready.”

To reach the final round, Gray, who qualified second, defeated Doug Winters, Derek Menholt and Sidnei Frigo.

Before the final round, Samorukov enjoyed a strong weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, qualifying No. 1 with a 5.764 at 249.39 and then defeating former world champions Mike Castellana and Mike Janis, and Stan Shelton to reach the championship round for the second time in his career.

The points will reset for the final four races, with Gray taking the points lead into the playoffs as he looks for his first Congruity NHRA Pro Mod world championship.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series opens its Road to the Championship playoffs as part of the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

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This story was originally published on June 23, 2025. Drag IllustratedDrag Illustrated





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Kevin Harvick predicts winner of NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indy

The NASCAR Cup Series will move from one oval to another this weekend, as Dover will give way to Indianapolis. While the two tracks aren’t exactly the same, some intense racing will take place in the Brickyard 400, similar to this past weekend’s race in Delaware, where Denny Hamlin was victorious.  As many try to […]

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The NASCAR Cup Series will move from one oval to another this weekend, as Dover will give way to Indianapolis. While the two tracks aren’t exactly the same, some intense racing will take place in the Brickyard 400, similar to this past weekend’s race in Delaware, where Denny Hamlin was victorious. 

As many try to predict who will kiss the bricks on Sunday, the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour crew is locking in their predictions. First off, Kevin Harvick is riding with a fellow former Cup Series champion to win in Indiana. 

“I’m going to go with Chase Elliott,” Harvick proclaimed. “I think Dover was good weekend. This is a big team track. The Hendrick versus Gibbs things showed up last week, and I don’t think it’s going anywhere here.”

At Dover, Elliott seemed primed to return to Victory Lane. A late strategy call to pit instead of staying out changed everything, and the Hendrick Motorsports star never made it back to the front, having to settle for a P6 finish.

Moving ahead of this weekend, Elliott has been good, but not great at the Brickyard. He finished P10 last season, and his best showing in seven tries is P9. Harvick is hoping he can rise above and get the job done this time around.

Elsewhere, Harvick’s co-host in Kaitlyn Vincie is riding with Elliott’s teammate: “I’m taking Kyle Larson,” she stated. “I have renewed confidence after what I saw this past weekend. He won this race a year ago. I’m team No. 5.”

Larson made an effort to get to P1 in the final laps at Dover, but he couldn’t get past the Joe Gibbs Racing tandem of Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Still, a P4 finish isn’t anything to scoff at, and the Hendrick star will take it after struggling a bit over the past few weeks.

Indianapolis has been a mixed bag for Larson, especially considered his time at the track in IndyCar. He won last season’s race though, as Vincie mentioned, so another trip to Indiana that ends in kissing the bricks would be something to behold for the former champion.

Finally, Mamba Smith watched as Briscoe finished as the runner-up at Dover. As he returns home to Indiana, he’s thinking the No. 19 Toyota team can get their second win of 2025, and continue their little hit streak. 

“I’m going with Chase Briscoe. They’re on a roll,” Smith added. “This is a home race for him. I think it’s a big week for Chase Briscoe.”

All told, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe are all solid picks for Indianapolis. Whether or not one of them will kiss the bricks this weekend remains to be seen, but the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour crew will be watching all the drama that comes to fruition during the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, for sure.



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NASCAR adds new Saturday session after rain cancels Brickyard 400 practice

In modern NASCAR, it has become increasingly rare for Cup teams to get full practice sessions as part of three-day race weekends. The Brickyard 400 is one of those rare occasions, but thunderstorms forced NASCAR to cancel on-track activity for the Cup Series on Friday. However, in an attempt to get the teams some practice […]

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In modern NASCAR, it has become increasingly rare for Cup teams to get full practice sessions as part of three-day race weekends. The Brickyard 400 is one of those rare occasions, but thunderstorms forced NASCAR to cancel on-track activity for the Cup Series on Friday.

However, in an attempt to get the teams some practice time, series officials have introduced a new session to be run on Saturday. The 39 Cup teams will get the chance to practice in a 25-minute combined session, instead of the 50-minute practice that was planned for Friday.

This session will follow Xfinity Series qualifying and immediately precede Cup qualifying.

Unfortunately, the weather outlook is not much better for Saturday afternoon. Temperatures at Indianapolis are in the late 80s and early 90s this weekend and there is a chance of more afternoon thunderstorms. 

If weather forces the cancellation of this new practice session and qualifying on Saturday, it will be the second consecutive week where weather has denied teams any on-track activity before the race. In the event of a Saturday rainout, Denny Hamlin will start from pole position. Hamlin also announced on Friday that he has signed a new multi-year deal that will keep him at Joe Gibbs Racing for the next few years.

NASCAR has also been forced to cancel Truck qualifying at Indianapolis Raceway Park, a short track just a few miles away from the big track. Corey Heim will start from pole position. 

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Former NASCAR Driver Rips Chase Elliott’s Cup Series Lead, Calls it ‘Mediocre’

Chase Elliott may be leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings  but not everyone is impressed. NASCAR analyst and former driver Kyle Petty has publicly questioned Elliott’s rise to the top. He called it “mediocre consistency” not standout performance. Advertisement Elliott  who has 12 top 10s in 21 races this season  quietly moved to the top of the standings after last Sunday’s race at Dover. […]

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Chase Elliott may be leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings  but not everyone is impressed.

NASCAR analyst and former driver Kyle Petty has publicly questioned Elliott’s rise to the top. He called it “mediocre consistency” not standout performance.

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Elliott  who has 12 top 10s in 21 races this season  quietly moved to the top of the standings after last Sunday’s race at Dover. He spun twice while leading but still finished 6th.

The Hendricks Motorsports driver has been top 20 in every race this season  and that’s  kept him in the conversation even without frequent trips to victory lane. But  for Kyle Petty that’s  not enough.

Speaking on PRN’s Fast Talk  Petty said “He’s been incredibly consistent. Mostly mediocre consistent, which has led him to lead the championship. He’s just there, he’s vanilla…  He’s not done anything special to lead the points.”

Also Read:: “They Don’t Have Men Anymore”: Former NASCAR Champion Criticizes Modern Era

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Petty Want More Than Consistency

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover

Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Kyle Petty went on to compare Chase Elliott to more aggressive drivers. “When you look at Denny with four wins, when you look at at Shane with three wins, when you look at these other guys who have led races and gone out in a blaze of glory and all this stuff. Chase is just that guy. It’s the tortoise and the hare. It’s the tortoise and the hare.”

He later said “Top  20 is not a stat, dude…  Top 10, top 5, wins. That’s what we go after.”

Petty said Chase Elliott’s consistency has been enough to keep him near the front but it’s not the same as drivers who dominate races.

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Even Kyle Larson said he was surprised to see Elliott second  in the standings after his Atlanta win earlier this month. Elliott has since passed teammate William Byron  who led the series most of the year  and now leads by 16 points.

Next up for Chase Elliott is the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway  a track where he’s  never had a top 5. While Larson won there in 2024  Elliott has yet to make an impact at the crown jewel event.

With the regular season winding down  the race may be the opportunity for the points leader to silence his critics with a big result.

Also Read:: “Sorry for the Heart Attack”: NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace’s Dover Save Stuns Spotter

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Kyle Larson hoping to recapture Brickyard magic in NASCAR action | News, Sports, Jobs

Kyle Larson is introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Sonoma Raceway, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson raced to his third NASCAR Cup victory of the season at Kansas in mid-May then turned his attention to his second and perhaps final attempt at […]

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Kyle Larson is introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Sonoma Raceway, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson raced to his third NASCAR Cup victory of the season at Kansas in mid-May then turned his attention to his second and perhaps final attempt at racing’s double — completing all 1,100 miles of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Instead, he was hit with a double whammy.

A crash on Lap 92 knocked him out of the 500, relegating him to 24th, and two crashes — the second on Lap 245 — knocked him out in Charlotte, where he finished 37th.

Not much has gone right for Lason since then.

He posted just one top five finish over the next eight races before finishing fourth at Dover last weekend. Now, the defending Brickyard 400 champion is back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway trying to recharge his season.

“It’s great to be back here in Indy and back at the track, hopefully I’ll do a much better job than I did in May,” he said Friday. “It’s a privilege to get to run here and I would love nothing more than a good run and hopefully kind of put the bow on the double stuff.”

Only three drivers in race history own back-to-back Brickyard wins — Jimmie Johnson in 2008-09, Kyle Busch in 2015-16 and Kevin Harvick in 2019-20. Larson’s won last year on Indy’s historic 2.5-mile oval instead of the road course used the previous three years.

Most if not all drivers including Larson prefer running the oval.

“There’s so many people from all over the world here whether it be May or our events or, really for that matter, any events,” Justin Allgaier said. “… It’s just there’s nothing quite like it;”

Larson understands having driven an IndyCar on the oval each of the last two Mays and now back in a Cup car, his fourth start in 14 months at the Brickyard.

The difference this year: Larson wants to change directions after some sub-par results.

But they haven’t dashed his championship hopes.

The 2021 Cup champ is tied for second in wins this season, already has accrued 23 playoff points and trails only Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup champ, and William Byron in points. Neither Elliott or Byron has won the 400, though.

Neither has Denny Hamlin, who sits just behind Larson in points despite winning a series-best four times including last weekend at Dover. He also signed a two-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing on Friday.

If he can add a win Sunday to the three he’s had in the Daytona 500 and Southern 500 and the one Coca-Cola 600 title, Hamlin would join the short list of drivers who have won all four Cup crown jewel races in their career.

“It certainly would mean a lot to me,” said Hamlin, who has started 16 Brickyards. “We’ve come close. We were actually as close on the road course as we were on ovals although I don’t know — you could argue whether that (road race) was actually a crown jewel or not. So, yeah, highly motivated.”

But things already are off script for Larson, Hamlin and everyone else in Indy.

Friday’s scheduled practice was rained out, making the second week in a row practice was washed out. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday when temperatures are forecast to be in the mid to upper 80s with rain in the forecast most of the afternoon. The forecast for Sunday looks almost identical to Saturday.

That’s not what Larson wanted to hear even though race organizers rescheduled a short practice for Saturday afternoon.

“Hopefully, our car is good again,” he said before the scheduled practice. “I believe it should be fast, if not better than it was last year. So, you know, hopefully we’ll have a good practice, good qualifying (Saturday) and execute a good race on Sunday.”

Larson’s goal is simple — qualify up front, stay up front and stay out of the trouble he’s found far too routinely lately.

“When (Christopher Bell) spun (at Dover), I thought I was going to get collected and be like ‘Uh, oh, just continuing our bad luck here,” he said. “So, hopefully, this is the beginning of us to kind turn things around. We’ll see.”



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“They Don’t Have Men Anymore”: Former NASCAR Champion Criticizes Modern Era

On a recent episode of the Kevin Harvick Happy Hour podcast, former NASCAR Truck Series champion Mike Skinner was his usual candid self. He shared his thoughts on today’s drivers and didn’t mince words. Reflecting on the differences between his era and the current field, Skinner praised the technical advancements in the sport but panned […]

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On a recent episode of the Kevin Harvick Happy Hour podcast, former NASCAR Truck Series champion Mike Skinner was his usual candid self. He shared his thoughts on today’s drivers and didn’t mince words.

Reflecting on the differences between his era and the current field, Skinner praised the technical advancements in the sport but panned what he sees as a lack of grit and personality. “In ’95 and ’96 we had men,” Skinner told Harvick.
“They don’t have men anymore. They have a lot of guys that are really high technical, their fitness program is impeccable now today, but they fall out of the seat way more than we probably did.”

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Skinner, who won the first Truck Series race in 1995 and went on to win 28 races and 50 poles in that series, also pointed out the physical changes in drivers over time.

“They’re little guys, they’re smaller guys,” he said. “And we’re finding out all the time that the smaller frame and the less weight you have and the shorter you are, you’re like a jockey. Kyle Larson should win every race, right?”

Also Read:: “Sorry for the Heart Attack”: NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace’s Dover Save Stuns Spotter

Skinner Misses the Fire: “We Need More of Those Rivalries”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: NextEra Energy Resources 250

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While Skinner acknowledged the gains in fitness and preparation, he said we’ve lost something essential, namely, the raw intensity and personalities that once defined NASCAR. “We need more of those rivalries,” he said. “It’s fun to watch… So we don’t see enough of that in my opinion today.”

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Many veterans and long time fans share the same feeling, they think the sport has veered too far from its original roots. Drivers from Skinner’s era, like Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace or Tony Stewart, were great drivers by talent, but they also had larger than life personalities on, and off, the track, along with plenty of on-track altercations.

After his success in the Truck Series, Skinner joined Richard Childress Racing and he became the 1997 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year. He never won a Cup points race but did win 6 poles. His resume and firsthand experience give him credibility when talking to Kevin Harvick.

Skinner wonders if NASCAR still has a pulse. And with this generation of “nice” drivers like Larson, Byron and Elliott making headlines, this conversation isn’t going to go away.

Also Read:: “He wanted to rip my head off”: Kevin Harvick opens up on Kyle Busch feud and relationship with Tony Stewart

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Photos: NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway

Shane van Gisbergen known as SVG took the checkered flag in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing at Sonoma Raceway winning the Toyota/SaveMart 350. SVG started in the pole position and dominated the pack leading in 97 of the 110 laps for his third and second consecutive win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series […]

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Shane van Gisbergen known as SVG took the checkered flag in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing at Sonoma Raceway winning the Toyota/SaveMart 350. SVG started in the pole position and dominated the pack leading in 97 of the 110 laps for his third and second consecutive win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The New Zealand driver is currently 26th in the series.

Driver Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, does a burnout in the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)

Filling the second through fifth spots were:

  • Chase Briscoe in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  • Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports
  • Michael McDowell in the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports
  • Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing
A NASCAR fan reacts to a crash at Turn 2. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
(L-R) U.S. Navy recruiter Petty Officer Rampy, Commanding Officer Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Golden Gate Commander Mike Molloy AmirrorCAN MEN and deputy commander of Naval Education and Training Command – Force Development Rear Admiral Robert Nowakowski pose for Boatswain’s Mate Li Zhang in the Fan Zone before the race. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Driver Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, in the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 leads the pack of drivers at Turn 7. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
The #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 driven by Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, heads out of turn 7A. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Jacob Dobbins asks Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney for an autograph. Dobbins has been attending NASCAR races at the Sonoma Raceway for 5 years. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
The pack heads around Turn 2 after a yellow flag. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Chase Briscoe drives through Turn 7A in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Fans of Tyler Reddick watch the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway from the top of a recreational vehicle. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
The Trackhouse Racing team celebrates as driver Shane van Gisbergen known as SVG takes the checkered flag in the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Brooklyn Williford, 11, from Tracy, holds a quarter panel with drivers’ signatures before the race. Williford collected these signatures throughout the weekend and she has been attending the Sonoma Raceway since 2022. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Dalton Leonard, the rear tire changer for the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford before the start of the race. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Fans photograph the Patriots Jet Demonstration Team perform before the start of the race. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Shane van Gisbergen known as SVG does burnouts in the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 after taking the checkered flag. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, stands on the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 in celebration of his victory. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Curtis Williford of Tracy shows off a homemade die cast model race car with Noah Gragson’s signature before the start of the race. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, celebrates with his team after his win. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, speaks to the media after his win. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)
Shane van Gisbergen known as SVG does burnouts in the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet ZL1 holds onto the checkered flag as he leaves the track after his win.. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)



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