Pro Mod race teams rolled into Commerce GA this past weekend for the 39th annual Arby's NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Originally a hard-packed red clay airport, the track became an NHRA-sanctioned facility back in the 1980s and was resurfaced and updated in 1999 when the National Hot Rod Association purchased the speedway. In Friday's qualifying, Stevie "Fast" Jackson claimed the second number one qualifying position of the 2019 season for the Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Jackson posted a class best qualifying time with a 5.768-second ET at 250.69 mph. Jackson expressed his disappointment of not having a shot at the quick time on Saturday, after foul weather moved into the northeast Georgia area.
Wild upsets ruled the day, as Mike Castellana claimed his second Wally in Pro Mod in three years at the 39th annual NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. This year's Pro Mod series was co-presented by FuelTech and J&A Services. After qualifying ninth, Castellana paved his path to semifinal round by eliminating Brandon Snider and Jeremy Ray where he faced the reigning world champion Mike Janis. Castellana posted a 5.809-second ET at 248.48 mph in the semifinals to put his supercharged Al-Anabi Performance Chevrolet Camaro in the Finals against Jose Gonzalez.
After Gonzalez tripped the foul light at the tree, Castellana ran 5.825-seconds at 248.29 mph in a wheels-up drive to claim his ninth career win the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod drag racing series. Both Castellana and crew chief Frank Manzo expressed a sigh of relief as the AAP Chevrolet Camaro had failed to qualify in the first three events of the 2019 season. Castellana's slump ended when Gonzalez left .003 seconds to early, giving the team a much needed win. The Al-Anabi Performance driver ran an honest 248.29 mph in the Final; and the team hopes to continue their winning ways in two weeks at Richmond.
This was the fourth race for the twelve-race Pro Mod Championship. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues May 17-19 with the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Va.
Photo courtesy of RPM: Real Pro Mod
Featuring the world’s fastest and most exotic doorslammer racecars, the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service offers something for every kind of drag racing fan. With more than 3,000 horsepower, the "suspended door" Pro Mod cars travel the quarter-mile in less than six seconds at speeds exceeding 250 mph. Visit Real Pro Mod online to learn more.
