Nashville, TN, (May 15, 2018)…One of today’s most exciting classes in NHRA drag racing has become the Pro Mod series that is now in its first season, sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs. The 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service is the only one that allows multiple makes of cars, builders and engines to compete on a level playing field. This combination is now drawing ever increasing throngs of fans to each city that Pro Mod races at NHRA. The 2018 season is shaping up again as one packed with thrills as barely hundredths-of-a-second divides the number 1 with the 16th qualifier, from entries topping 30 cars per event.
One of the competing racers is Michael Castellana, from Muttontown, NY. Michael started racing during his high school years, back in 1982. “When I was 10 or 11 yrs. old,” says Castellana, “my brother was drag racing, and the class allowed passengers to ride along. He took me a couple times and I was hooked. As soon as I got my license, I started tinkering with cars and just kept rolling from there. We started bracket racing but quickly moved into Grudge racing. And we eventually just evolved into Pro Mod.” Castellana this year commands the driver’s seat in his supercharged, AAP – Al Anabi Performance, 2017 Camaro.
Castellana fills his trophy room with quite a few awards from along the way, with awards such as his IHRA Championship in 2005, two (2) ADRL championships; one in 2011 Pro Nitro, and then the Pro Mod class in 2013, plus he holds four (4) Championship titles overseas. Castellana plans to compete in the full 12-race NHRA series in 2018. In addition he runs overseas every winter in Qatar. Castellana claims his top speed hit in the ¼ mile at 5.68 @ 253+ MPH; definitely one of his favorite days at the track, he says.
Ask Castellana his favorite motorsports hero and he’ll mention one that stands out from drag racing, Roger DeCoster. “When I was younger, riding dirt bikes,” says Castellana, “he was one of my idols, he was racing motocross when I was a boy.”
Castellana chuckles when asking about E3 spark plugs and says “I believe we have ran them. We had a box at one time, but just not sure if Frank put them in? Honestly, I just drive!” Castellana also thanks his car owner Sheikh Khalid, for supporting his team for so many years.
When Castellana is not at the track, he converts his need for speed under the hood, into a need for speed on the water. “I have recently started enjoying boating. I have the most powerful outboards you can get on a boat.” His is a 43’ Midnight Express; Center Console, with Quad Seven Marine 627s cutting the wake. And just for another fun fact that many may not know, Castellana claims to be an avid fan of old western movies. “The western channel is always on at my house,” says the boating, racecar, cowboy fan.
Michael Castellana has built a formidable career over the years and he says that “Pro Mod is becoming the baddest class out there! The competition is tough!”
Just like Michael Castellana, E3 appreciates the support from the racers/teams/participants competing in the E3 Spark Plug Pro Mod class of the NHRA and we are excited for the 2018 season. ?Rob Fisher, E3 Director of Motorsports says, “We are very thankful for everyone in the sport and everyone in the stands!”
For more information about E3 spark plugs and performance ignition products, visit www.e3sparkplugs.com. For the latest company and product news follow E3 on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Instagram, or subscribe to E3’s You Tube Channel.
ABOUT E3
E3 is a true high-performance aftermarket manufacturer providing high-performance spark plugs and ignitions systems for drag racing, off-road, late model, street rod and muscle car, tuner, sports car, marine, lawn and garden and powersports. E3 Spark Plugs are the product of years of fundamental research in the combustion field. The unique patented electrode configuration of the new E3 spark plugs increases the amount of combustion pressure created during each power stroke of an engine, which results in a marked increase in power output, fuel economy, and reduced emissions in gasoline engines.
