Instead, Castellana got to experience a true storybook season.
Returning to competition after overcoming cancer in late 2010, Castellana provided one of the more remarkable stories in ADRL history, winning four races and earning his first ADRL Pro Nitrous World Championship.
Castellana clinched the title at the recent LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VII presented by Summit Racing Equipment at the Texas Motorplex, and he's continued to enjoy the memories of a purely incredible season.
"I've been enjoying it since that day. It's been a good feeling," Castellana said. "I'm going to remember this for a long time."
Plenty of others will remember, too, in part because of Castellana's journey to get back behind the wheel.
He was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and the New York native wasn't sure if he would return to racing. But the Al-Anabi Racing driver was declared cancer-free by the end of the year and Castellana made the decision to return to the ADRL and drag racing.
Through all of his treatments, Castellana appreciated the kind words and messages he received from his racing family.
"When I was going through my treatments, you have good days and bad days, and a lot of people were calling me and texting me and leaving me messages, and all of that gives you a boost when you're kind of feeling down," Castellana said.
"You get a text or a joke from somebody and I don't know if people realize how much that helps, and a lot of that just seemed to come when you needed it. It all just helped out a lot."
Castellana returned to the ADRL at its 2011 season-opening race in Houston in March.
A month later, Castellana won the first of four races, showing the outstanding consistency and starting-line prowess that would be a mainstay during a championship season that netted Castellana an ADRL-record $125,000 (counting the $75,000 championship payout).
Castellana said it was all possible because of a more relaxed mindset when racing.
"Like I always said, my main goal was just to come out and enjoy myself and have fun going racing," Castellana said. "You kind of get a wake-up call after what I went through, and you kind of realize some things are more important. You put different things in perspective.
"When we won the first (race), I didn't want to think about (the championship). I just wanted to concentrate on enjoying myself. It definitely crossed my mind, but I just tried to push it back and focus on having fun."
There was plenty to enjoy, whether it was the string of runs in the low 3.80s all year or getting to share the success with his team, led by close friend and crew chief Shannon Jenkins.
Castellana beat his teammate Mahana Al-Naemi in June to win the Independence Drags, and then followed it up with five runs of 3.81 or 3.82 to win at Virginia Motorsports Park.
A month later, Castellana won his fourth race, running an ADRL career-best 3.799 to win the Ohio Drags.
That all but clinched the world championship – and the $75,000 points champion purse – and Castellana only needed to qualify at the World Finals to get the championship.
That happened, though Castellana finally felt some nerves.
"The last race, I was nervous. We had to qualify to clinch it and I was more nervous in that qualifying run than I was than I can't remember how long," Castellana said. "You're so close to it and it's right there, and you don't want to screw up for your team.
"I guess you could maybe say that's when it sunk in. It was a great feeling to share it with all the people that helped get you there."
Castellana said he will do his best to repeat his Pro Nitrous title in 2012, but even he admitted this year would be hard to top.
"This is a season I'll never forget," Castellana said.
