Friday, March 09, 2012

CASTELLANA RACES TO QUALIFYING LEAD IN NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT

CASTELLANA RACES TO QUALIFYING LEAD IN NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx of the year kicked off at the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com and it was Mike Castellana that raced to the qualifying lead. Castellana posted a 5.862 second pass at 242.80 mph to lead the 17 cars entered into the event. If he holds onto the No.1 qualifying position it will be the second of his 13-race career.

Also attempting to qualify for the 16 car field is Rickie Smith in second with a time of 5.920 seconds at 237.34, Donald Martin in third at 5.945 at 243.02, Troy Coughlin at 5.946 at 256.26 and Leah Pruett who is currently fifth after running 5.952 seconds at 250.83.

The third round of qualifying for the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday followed by the first round of eliminations at 1:30 p. m.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Friday's results after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, first of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Saturday's final eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 5.862, 245.72; 2. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.920, 240.04; 3. Donald Martin, Camaro, 5.945, 243.02; 4. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 5.946, 256.26; 5. Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 5.952, 250.83; 6. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 5.964, 240.08; 7. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.976, 242.19; 8. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.981, 242.54; 9. Kenny Lang, Camaro, 6.001, 240.64; 10. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.014, 246.26; 11. Donald Walsh, Mustang, 6.019, 239.57; 12. Adam Flamholc, Camaro, 6.146, 231.04; 13. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 6.160, 240.47; 14. Ike Maier, Chevy Corvette, 7.774, 142.51; 15. Roger Burgess, Pontiac Firebird, 8.618, 103.47; 16. Jay Payne, Camaro, 9.260, 92.28.  

Not Qualified: 17. Mike Janis, 13.308, 68.31; 18. Scott Ray, broke.