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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 8, 2026) – Derek Menholt opened the 2026 NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season with a major win at the historic Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, defeating Lyle Barnett in the final round on Sunday.
Driving as part of the Scott Tidwell Racing team, Menholt capped off a strong weekend by taking down one of the toughest fields in Pro Mod racing and securing the victory at the season opening event.
The Pro Mod field at the Gatornationals was packed with some of the quickest and most competitive teams in the category, making every round a challenge.
Menholt steadily worked his way through eliminations, showing consistency and speed throughout the day. In the final round, he lined up against Lyle Barnett in a matchup between two heavy hitters in the Pro Mod world.
When the tree dropped, Menholt delivered the winning run with a 5.690 second pass at 251.02 MPH, paired with a .053 reaction time, sealing the victory at Gainesville Raceway.
The Scott Tidwell Racing entry is powered by a Proline Racing engine paired with a Harts Charger, a combination that has proven to be one of the most competitive setups in modern Pro Mod racing. The car was tuned by Brandon Stroud, who helped guide the team through a demanding race day and into the winner’s circle with a clean and consistent performance.
Winning the opening race of the NHRA Pro Mod season is a major statement, especially at an event like the Gatornationals where the competition is among the toughest in the sport.
For Menholt and the Scott Tidwell Racing team, the victory is a strong way to start the year and immediately puts them in a solid position as the NHRA Pro Mod season gets underway.
With the first Wally of the season secured, Menholt and the team now carry serious momentum into the upcoming races.
Scott Taylor earned his first NHRA Wally at Brainerd, defeating Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington in a close all-Proline Racing customer final.
Paul Gargus and Scott Tidwell Racing earned another Pro Mod win at DragCoverage’s Night of Fire at Alabama International Dragway. Gargus qualified No. 1 with a 3.602 at 207.94 MPH before defeating No. 7 qualifier Michael Neal in the final.
Ned Dunphy earned his first career PDRA Pro Boost victory at the Thunder Valley Throwdown at Bristol Dragway, using consistent passes and strong reaction times to race his way into the winner’s circle.
