NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Steven Whiteley raced to his first NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event win at their portion of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Sunday at Gainesville Raceway. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing was presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Inc. and is the first of 12 races on the season.

Whiteley in his ’14 Cadillac faced series veteran Mike Castellana in the final round. Whiteley was able to post a winning time of 5.791 seconds at 253.52 mph to the trailing run of 10.192 at 87.94 of Castellana. 

The Whiteley family was able to celebrate a pair of victories in Gainesville after mother, Annie won the Top Alcohol Funny Car class on Sunday.  

“It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s such a blessing being in the winner’s circle with my mom,” Whiteley said. “I can’t express how thankful I am. Not only for J&A Service on a couple of accounts. They sponsor this series, but it’s more intimate than that, at least for me. You know, J&A Service, that’s Jim and Annie Whiteley, that’s Mom and Dad. These guys don’t understand how much more this hits me. I just let the clutch petal go. My guys make this happen. I cannot thank them enough.” 

Also during the course of the racing action, Eric Latino recorded a national elapsed time record with his pass of 5.727 seconds in his losing run in the semifinal round. Earlier in eliminaitions, Latino defeated low qualifier Stevie Jackson, who was making his NHRA debut in the Pro Mod class.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns April 28-30 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C.