Fri, 06 Sep 2019, 11:08 AM Mike Castellana Comes Through with First Career Win at Indy

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2019 Auto Imagery, Inc. During E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Action

Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 5.758, 248.43 defeated Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.747, 250.83.

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Pro Mod veteran Mike Castellana scored his first career victory at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, slipping past Rickie Smith on a holeshot in the final round of E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service action on Monday at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Mike Castellana celebrates his first Wally at Indy.

The series was presented by Hot Wheels in Indy and marked the ninth of 12 races in 2019. For Castellana, it was his first Indy triumph after finishing as the runner-up two previous times. He went 5.758-seconds at 248.43 mph in the finals in his blown Al-Anabi Performance Camaro, beating Smith's 5.747 at 250.83 by a mere 17 inches thanks to a better reaction time. It is Castellana's second win in 2019 and 10th in his E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series career.

"I just go up there and do my own thing and to try to win," Castellana said. "It was pretty close at the finish line. I knew it was tight. It feels great to win this, especially for my team. They work their butts off all weekend, so it's great."

Mike Castellana and crew celebrate 10th career win, second this season.

Castellana, who qualified second with a 5.751 at 248.93, picked up round wins against Sidnei Frigo, Doug Winters and AAP teammate Brandon Snider to reach the final round. Smith, a three-time world champ and the No. 1 qualifier this weekend, advanced to his 23rd career final round thanks to round wins against Eric Latino, Khalid AlBalooshi and defending world champ Mike Janis.

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Sept. 27-29 in St. Louis. It is the 10th of 12 races during the 2019 season.

Final round-by-round results from the 65th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, the ninth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

ROUND ONE -- Khalid alBalooshi, Chevy Camaro, 5.764, 251.81 def. Jason Scruggs, Camaro, 5.966, 244.16; Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 5.793, 248.80 def. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 6.180, 182.26; Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.751, 249.53 def. Steve Jackson, Camaro, Foul - Red Light; Dwanye Wolfe, Camaro, 5.796, 246.44 def. Rick Hord, Camaro, 6.061, 197.65; Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.887, 208.65 def. Steve Matusek, Ford Mustang, 5.938, 232.55; Brandon Snider, Chevy Corvette, 5.754, 247.93 def. Scott Oksas, Mustang, 5.812, 242.32; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.765, 248.89 def. Sidnei Frigo, Camaro, 5.790, 253.66; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.740, 251.02 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 5.779, 246.89;

QUARTERFINALS -- Janis, 5.909, 221.09 def. Wolfe, Foul - Centerline; Castellana, 5.801, 248.39 def. Winters, 5.873, 227.23; Snider, 5.788, 247.43 def. Tutterow, 6.181, 169.40; Smith, 5.774, 251.58 def. alBalooshi, 5.785, 255.19;

SEMIFINALS -- Castellana, 9.155, 98.30 def. Snider, Broke; Smith, 5.769, 251.58 def. Janis, 5.865, 246.17;

FINAL -- Castellana, 5.758, 248.43 def. Smith, 5.747, 250.83.

Point standings (top 10) following the 65th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, the ninth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

1. Steve Jackson, 689; 2. Mike Janis, 567; 3. Todd Tutterow, 556; 4. Jose Gonzalez, 527; 5. Sidnei Frigo, 485; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 425; 7. Mike Castellana, 410; 8. Rickie Smith, 407; 9. Brandon Snider, 366; 10. Chad Green, 362.