4-WIDE PRO
O
ne of the biggest stories
coming out of the eighth annual
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals was
the four-wide debut of the J&A
Service NHRA Pro Mod Series.
The series has been contested at
the Four-Wide Nationals in the
past, but the eclectic mix of driv-
ers and power adders has never
competed in the four-wide format.
Despite the inexperience, many of
the Pro Mod drivers seemed to fare better than
the seasoned four-wide veterans of the NHRA
Mello Yello Series. The driver who fared the best
of the 29 Pro Mod contestants was event winner
84 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Mike Castellana
wins historic
NHRA Pro Mod
four-wide debut
BY NATE VAN WAGNEN
Mike Castellana.
Castellana, who was in just his third race be-
hind the wheel of a supercharged Pro Mod, qual-
ified second with a 5.787-second elapsed time
at 249.16 mph. His Frank Manzo-tuned AAP
2017 Camaro was consistent in the first round of
eliminations with a 5.786 at 249.63 to finish first
ahead of Jim Whiteley, Danny Rowe and Larry
Morgan. A 5.815 at 248.48 in the semifinal quad
sent him into the final round, where he used his
best reaction time (.049) and a 5.807 at 249.35
to defeat Troy Coughlin (5.849), Jonathan Gray
(5.826) and Michael Biehle, who left too early.
“I tell ya, this is awesome,” Castellana said.
“The first time coming out here, you’re a little
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