Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, through the assistance of a key group of Pro Modified historians and enthusiasts, has compiled a list of the Top 20 all-time drivers based on their contribution to the class, historic achievements, statistics and fan appeal.

Starting on Friday, January 8, 2010, the electronic magazine began revealing those names on the list, and will announce two drivers per week, until the No. 1 driver is unveiled on Saturday, Mar. 20, during the ADRL Dragpalooza in Houston, Texas.

Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com narrowed the list from hundreds of drivers down to 20. Today, we reveal No. 13 on the list.

Westbury, NY

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
•    2005 IHRA World Champion
•    Won Pro Mod Shootouts in both IHRA/NHRA
•    16-Time National Event Winner [IHRA/NHRA/ADRL]


Mike Castellana laughs and admits he’s honored by the notion that he’s considered one of the top twenty Pro Modified drivers of all-time. That’s when he reveals a secret that he doesn’t share with many.

“It was tough when we started,” said Castellana, of Westbury, NY. “To be honest, we really didn’t know what we were doing. That’s the honest truth. But, we never gave up. We figured if we stuck at it and stuck at it, that it would pay off one day.”

One day for Castellana came when he teamed up with Pro Modified nitrous expert Shannon Jenkins in 2001 as a lease engine customer. Since then, Castellana and Jenkins are credited with being key players to take nitrous doorslammer racing to the next level.

Castellana, though admittedly short on mechanical expertise in his years before teaming with Jenkins, more than made up for that shortcoming with his driving prowess.

A prime example came in 1995 when Castellana made a run at the full IHRA Pro Modified tour and though he failed to qualify in more races than he made, he managed to score the quickest average reaction time amongst all Pro Modified racers that season.

“I guess I was blessed to be one of those racers who was blessed with quick reaction times,” Castellana admitted.

Castellana scored his first national event victory in 2003 during the IHRA Canadian Nationals in Cayuga, Ont., and then added a second the next season during the IHRA Virginia Nationals. The 2005 season provided his finest moments as he added four wins to capture his first world championship. A year later, he won the IHRA’s Pro Modified Shootout.

Castellana has fared well on the NHRA Pro Modified tour scoring five career victories as well as the 2009 Matco Tools Pro Modified Clash; this in a series largely dominated by the more powerful supercharged combination.

There was always the temptation for many to switch over.

As Castellana watched his fellow racers convert over to supercharged combinations, one by one; he stuck to his guns and today is better for the experience. Besides, his emotional attachment to carburetors and gasoline wouldn’t allow him to do it.

“I’ve always been partial to nitrous,” said Castellana, who started racing Pro Modified style cars in the early 1990s. “I didn’t want to be one of those guys who abandoned the combination. I made my mind up that if I had to go with a blown car, I just wouldn’t race Pro Modified anymore.”

And for Castellana, that would be a major letdown.

“Pro Modified gave me the opportunity to line up alongside of my heroes,” Castellana admitted. “For me, it was the perfect class for me to race.”

For the complete list visit: ATTITUDE'S COMPETITIONPLUS.COM'S ALL-TIME TOP 20 HOMEPAGE