NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Mike Castellana powered to the qualifying lead Friday during the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented by Real Pro Mod Association, is the second of 12 events this season. 

Castellana ran quickest in both qualifying sessions to hold onto the qualifying lead in his Al Anabi Racing ’17 Camaro. He ran a 5.759-second pass at 250.46 mph during the second qualifying session to set the track elapsed time record. 

"It feels great, you know,” Castellana said. “I owe it all to my crew. I got the easy part - I just let the clutch out and steer. They do all the hard-work and they make all the calls, so all the credit goes to them."

Jonathon Gray, who is racing Rickie Smith’s second car while Smith recovers from back surgery, is qualified second with a 5.788 at 250.97, Shane Molinari is third with a 5.792 at 257.24 and currently fourth is Danny Rowe who raced a 5.800 at 250.00. 

Castellana is currently second in the points standings behind Steven Whiteley who won the season-opening Pro Mod Series event in Gainesville, Fla. Whiteley is currently not qualified for eliminations and sitting in the 24th spot. 

J&A Service Pro Mod Series qualifying continues Saturday at approximately 3 p.m. with the first round of eliminations slated for 5:30 p.m.