Mike Castellana raced to victory Sunday in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Bristol Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association. This is the fifth of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.

Castellana won in his Al-Anabi Racing ’69 Chevy Camaro when Bob Rahaim crossed the centerline in his late model TLC Waste Disposal Services Chevy Corvette. Castellana claimed his first victory of 2016 and sixth win of his career.

“My crew did an awesome job this weekend and we got a little lucky in the finals,” said Castellana, who won his first race since the 2014 season-opener in Gainesville, Fla. “That’s all it takes. It feels great. We never gave up. My team, they kept pushing. We struggled a little bit, but now we’re back and hopefully we can stay.”

Castellana qualified third and outlasted Doug Winters, Chip King and recent Englishtown, N.J., winner Troy Coughlin to make his first final round appearance of the season. Castellana jumped to sixth in the points standings.

Bob Rahaim, who was the No. 1 qualifier, sprinted past Steven Whiteley, local favorite Von Smith and Michael Biehle  in the earlier rounds. Rahaim is fourth in the points standings.

Two-time 2016 winner Rickie Smith is still first in the points standings. Smith is followed by Coughlin and Steve Matusek in second and third, respectively.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-26, in Norwalk, Ohio.

 
Final finish order (1-16) at the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.  The race is the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
 

PRO MODIFIED:

1.  Mike Castellana; 2.  Bob Rahaim; 3.  Michael Biehle; 4.  Troy Coughlin; 5.  Chip King; 6. Rickie Smith; 7.  Von Smith; 8.  Steve Matusek; 9.  Danny Rowe; 10.  Mike Janis; 11.  Doug Winters; 12.  Gerry Capano; 13.  Mike Knowles; 14.  Steven Whiteley; 15.  Jim Whiteley; 16.  Dan Stevenson.
 
Sunday's final results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified -- Mike Castellana, Chevy Corvette,   def. Bob Rahaim, Corvette, Foul - Centerline.
 
Final round-by-round results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Steve Matusek, Chevy Camaro, 9.471, 93.51 def. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, Foul - Red Light; Von Smith, Corvette, 5.922, 243.50 def. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.992, 243.72; Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 13.832, no speed def. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, Foul - Centerline; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.987, 244.60 def. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 13.286, 96.97; Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.942, 250.83 def. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 8.813, 106.70; Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.947, 243.77 def. Doug Winters, Chevelle, 6.022, 240.64; Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.990, 218.02 def. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.052, 232.91; Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 5.926, 243.33 def. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 10.549, 103.74;
QUARTERFINALS -- Rahaim, 5.896, 245.85 def. V. Smith, 5.982, 244.43; Castellana, 5.966, 243.99 def. King, 5.953, 243.41; Biehle, 5.897, 253.04 def. R. Smith, 5.964, 244.92; Coughlin, 5.867, 244.78 def. Matusek, Broke;
SEMIFINALS -- Rahaim, 5.907, 244.38 def. Biehle, 5.938, 251.81; Castellana, 5.953, 243.41 def. Coughlin, 8.397, 110.76;
FINAL -- Castellana,  def. Rahaim, Foul - Centerline.