PHOTOS : CHRIS SEARS , RICK BELDEN

worried about how to drive with everything happening . But with a team like I have behind me , it just makes everything go real smooth . My crew gives me all the confidence in the world . I owe this to them .”

Castellana realized the importance of the Pro Mod Series having the opportunity to compete in the four-wide format for the first time . It ’ s one of multiple exciting aspects of the expanded 12-race NHRA Pro Mod Series schedule in 2017 .

“ It ’ s an honor to be a part of the history of this event . We ’ re finally starting to get in front of more eyeballs and being able to run the Four-Wide here . Hopefully we just keep making bigger steps with the class ,” Castellana said .

Also quick to credit the crew – John Glade , Mikey Giaffino , Cassie Simonton , and Ed Hoffman – was tuner Frank Manzo .

“ We were very fortunate to come out on top ,” said Manzo , a 17-time Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion . “ There ’ s a lot of great cars here , great drivers . You ’ ve gotta have luck to win – I know that better than anybody . Today was our day . I was fortunate enough to make a couple good calls . Mike drove the car well . The crew did a great job – it was a team effort . They deserve the win .”

Known for being the humblest of humble drivers , Manzo said the Four-Wide Nationals win was the result of his tuning rising to meet the level of the crew and its driver . Prior to the Charlotte

race , the AAP team reached the final round at the season-opening Gatornationals and reset the Pro Mod elapsed-time world record with a 5.685 at the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston .

“ The team was together the first race ,” Manzo admitted . “ I was the one who was behind . We did some testing at Gainesville on Monday , started to pick up the pace . We went to Houston , started to get the car to run better and Mike was driving the heck out of it . I made a little mistake . I learned from my mistake and came back this weekend on this hot , slippery track .

“ These Pro Mods are tough . They ’ re very humbling . We were just very fortunate . Like I said , you need luck , and today was our day .” DI

April 2017

DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 85