TOP QUALIFIER CASTELLANA SEEKING SECOND VICTORY OF SEASON AFTER OPENING ROUND WIN AT TOYOTA NHRA SUPERNATIONALS
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Top qualifier Mike Castellana raced to a first-round victory over Kevin McCurdy on Saturday during the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Native New Yorker Castellana, from Muttontown, powered his Al-Anabi Racing '69 Camaro to a winning first-round time of 5.890 seconds at 245.23 mph to hold off McCurdy's '68 Camaro, which trailed with a 6.117 at 219.54.
Earlier in the day Castellana claimed his third No. 1 qualifying position of the season and fourth of his career with a time of 5.856 at 245.72.
Other first-round winners included Kenny Lang, Rickie Smith, Pete Farber, Mike Janis, Steve Matusek, Danny Rowe and Troy Coughlin. The second and third qualifiers, Donald Martin and Leah Pruett, were upset in the opening round of racing. Chip King and Robert Patrick, who qualified fifth and sixth, also were upset in the first round.
The second round of eliminations for the fourth of 10 races in the Pro Mod Series will continue at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
In second round pairings, Castellana will continue his quest to earn his second win of the season against Smith, also a winner this season; series points leader Rowe will take on Matusek; Lang will meet Farber; and Coughlin will take on Janis.
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- First round-by-round results from the 43rd annual Toyota NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the fourth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx:
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Camaro, 5.937, 242.89 def. Donald Martin, Camaro, 6.017, 242.28; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.934, 243.63 def. Roger Burgess, Chevy Corvette, 5.950, 248.39; Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.959, 245.45 def. Donald Walsh, Ford Mustang, 6.035, 229.78; Mike Janis, Mustang, 5.963, 221.71 def. Robert Patrick Jr., Mustang, 12.837, 89.00; Steve Matusek, Mustang, 5.971, 251.34 def. Chip King, Daytona, 8.589, 119.69; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.921, 242.84 def. Jay Payne, Camaro, foul; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 5.937, 254.33 def. Leah Pruett, Mustang, 5.894, 251.91; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.890, 245.23 def. Kevin McCurdy, Camaro, 6.117, 219.54;
Final qualifying order:
1 Mike Castellana, Muttontown NY, '69 Camaro 5.856 245.72 245.72
2 Donald Martin, Lake Forest CA, '68 Camaro 5.874 246.17 247.07
3 Leah Pruett, Cherry Valley CA, '12 Mustang 5.883 247.88 252.14
4 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '68 Camaro 5.897 247.93 247.93
5 Chip King, Southport NC, '69 Daytona 5.899 251.63 251.63
6 Robert Patrick Jr., Fredricksburg VA, '12 Mustang 5.904 238.60 238.60
7 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, '69 Daytona 5.920 246.35 246.35
8 Roger Burgess, Duluth GA, '53 Corvette 5.926 248.16 248.16
9 Rickie Smith, King NC, '11 Camaro 5.927 241.89 241.89
10 Donald Walsh, Wixom MI, '11 Mustang 5.951 254.23 254.23
11 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '10 Mustang 5.966 244.07 244.07
12 Steve Matusek, Olathe KS, '12 Mustang 5.970 251.39 251.39
13 Jay Payne, Ontario CA, '12 Camaro 5.977 244.12 244.12
14 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '68 Camaro 6.051 244.65 244.65
15 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, '69 Camaro 6.059 240.85 240.85
16 Kevin McCurdy, Hamburg PA, '68 Camaro 6.099 231.24 231.24
DID NOT QUALIFY
17 1112 Vinny Budano, Hicksville NY, '68 Camaro 6.123 236.80 236.80
18 1277 David Hance, Inwood NY, '57 Bel Air 6.143 238.38 238.38
