BAYTOWN, Texas — When the NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by ProCare Rx returns to action during the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, Mike Castellana will be returning to the site of his first professional Pro Mod victory riding a wave of success.
Castellana in his Al-Anabi Racing ’12 Camaro, is the defending winner at Royal Purple Raceway, which is the site of his first NHRA Pro Mod victory. The win has special meaning for him as it marked the return to NHRA racing after overcoming cancer.
“It was a good win for us,” Castellana said. “Not finishing the year before for health reasons it was good to come back and get a win at the first NHRA race we were entered (that season) so it was good feeling. We are familiar with the track; we race there a lot so we are coming into this race with a good bit of confidence.”
Since his return, Castellana has entered into eight NHRA Pro Mod presented by ProCare Rx events and has raced to the final round six times with three victories. During this streak the mindset hasn’t wavered for the team.
“Last year’s attitude was let’s just come out and enjoy ourselves,” Castellana continued. “We will come out and race hard, but more importantly, just go out and enjoy ourselves and have a good weekend. It’s working, so I think we are going to stick with it. I owe it all to my crew really. They are the guys that do all the hard work, crew chief Shannon Jenkins and the team. They are the ones that give me this great car to race with and team owner Sheik Khalid Al Thani for giving us the resources to do it.”
He earned his most recent NHRA Wally with his victory at zMAX Dragway where he was to face Leah Pruett in the final round. Pruett wasn’t able to make it to the starting line due to engine damage suffered in her semi-final victory. Castellana and his team were excited for the win. The car ran a big number even though the other lane was empty and as a result the team obtained data they can use later in the season.
“We did change car a little bit and did some things we normally wouldn’t try,” he said. “It’s a sigh of relief because you know you’ve pretty much got the win unless something crazy goes on and the car doesn’t start, but it takes some of the joy away, the excitement. You know you won, but if you race someone and win it is more exciting.”
Other top drivers expected to compete in the event will be Troy Coughlin, Jay Payne and Danny Rowe.
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’63 Corvettes, ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs and ’68 Firebirds as well as late-model cars, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
• SCHEDULE: NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx qualifying sessions are scheduled for April 27 at 1 and 4:30 p.m. and April 28 at 1:30 p.m. The first round of eliminations begins on April 28 at 4 p.m. Eliminations continue on April 29.
• TICKETS: For tickets call (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets also available online at www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
• ON THE WEB: Get live timing, scoring, multimedia and the latest news updates from every NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx event at www.NHRA.com. Visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the third of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. The race will also showcase the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX. The track is located at 2525 FM 565 South, Baytown, TX
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 660 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 27-29.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 27 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 28 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 1:30 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 29 - Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m. NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations continue at approximately 2:30 p.m.
2011 WINNER: Mike Castellana
TRACK
RECORDS: 5.813 seconds by Jay Payne, April ‘10; 253.47 mph by Roger Burgess, April ’11.
NATIONAL
RECORDS: 5.772 sec. by Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown; 258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown.
TICKETS: For tickets call (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets also available online at www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
GLENDORA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Procare RX following the second of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Procare RX:
PRO MOD: 1. Mike Castellana, 181: 2. Rickie Smith, 158; 3. Leah Pruett, 146; 4. Danny Rowe, 130; 5. Donald Martin, 111; 6. Mike Knowles, 109; 7. Ike Maier, 97; 8. Donald Walsh, 96; 9. Troy Coughlin, 89; 10t. Pete Farber, 85; 10t. Steve Matusek, 85.
