Sun, 23 Apr 2017, 13:33 PM Pro Modified Round 2 Eliminations

By Bob Orme

BAYTOWN, Texas - Results of round 2 eliminations in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
   44 Mike Castellana                            Bye
E2   ****WINNER****  0.036  5.685 252.99     
 Prior rounds:
E1    (M Biehle II ) 0.029  5.722 251.77   
 Qualified:             #1  5.759 250.46                     Bye

12:15 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 71 degrees, relative humidity 48 percent, barometer 30.01 inches, adjusted altitude 1,240 feet, track temperature 103 degrees.

Due to a double-disqualification in round one yesterday, Castellana has a solo pass. And what a pass it is! He runs the first 5.6-second elapsed time in NHRA Pro Mod history! Mike Castellana's incremental times: 60ft-0.937 sec., 330ft-2.513, 660ft-3.746/201.85 mph, 1,000ft-4.796.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    2 Troy Coughlin                          13 Jonathan Gray                
E2                   0.032 10.018  81.15     ****WINNER****  0.027  5.801 250.04
 Prior rounds:
E1    (K Al Baloosh) 0.076  5.789 251.77      (S Jenkins   ) 0.023  5.815 223.17
 Qualified:             #7  5.820 253.90                        #2  5.788 250.97

This is the first time Coughlin and Gray have faced each other in eliminations. Coughlin started fishtailing just past the 330-foot mark and he had to lift. Gray takes it straight down the groove for the win.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    8 Danny Rowe                              5 Steve Matusek                
E2                   0.055  5.944 208.42     ****WINNER****  0.056  5.793 251.77
 Prior rounds:
E1    (L Morgan    ) 0.056  5.811 250.00      (S Whiteley  ) 0.026  5.817 250.18
 Qualified:             #4  5.800 250.00                        #5  5.813 252.28

Rowe is 5 - 1 against Matusek in prior events. Rowe was to the left of the groove on the top half of the track. Matusek will give lane choice to Castellana in round three. Steve Matusek's incremental times: 60ft-0.951 sec., 330ft-2.565, 660ft-3.828/197.65 mph, 1,000ft-4.897.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
 1456 Mike Janis                           6718 Shane Molinari               
E2                   0.047  6.446 167.72     ****WINNER****  0.076  5.811 255.92
 Prior rounds:
E1    (E Latino    ) 0.022  5.825 246.53      (C Little    ) 0.053  5.815 254.76
 Qualified:             #6  5.815 247.29                        #3  5.792 257.24

This is the first time Janis and Molinari have faced each other in eliminations. Janis was off the throttle at half track with a wounded engine. Mike Janis was charged with an oildown, #1 for the season. That will cost 5 points and $1K. Molinari will give lane choice to Gray in round three. Shane Molinari's incremental times: 60ft-1.002 sec., 330ft-2.643, 660ft-3.881/202.06 mph, 1,000ft-4.930.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink