Mike Castellana powered to the qualifying lead Friday during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service portion of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Dragway. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented Jerry Bickel Race Cars, is the first of 12 events this season.

Castellana ran a 5.753-second pass at 251.11 mph in the first of two qualifying sessions in his Al Anabi Racing ’69 Camaro to take the current No. 1 position.

“To come out in the first round of qualifying this season and qualify in the top spot shows the effort that my team put in to have a car we can make some great runs in,” Castellana said. “Our plan is to make sure we make the necessary adjustments to the car to continue being in that top spot tomorrow.”

Steve Jackson is currently qualified second with a 5.754 at 250.60 and Shane Molinari is initially qualified third with a 5.771 at 256.16.

Castellana finished the 2017 season second in the Pro Mod points standings as he chases his first category championship in 2018.

E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service qualifying continues Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, first of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 5.753, 251.11; 2. Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.754, 250.60; 3. Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, 5.771, 256.16; 4. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.776, 250.64; 5. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 5.787, 253.47; 6. Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.795, 249.07; 7. Chad Green, Chevy Corvette, 5.797, 247.29; 8. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.800, 250.92; 9. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 5.801, 255.34; 10. Jim Whiteley, Camaro, 5.801, 248.11; 11. Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 5.829, 246.75; 12. Jose Gonzalez, Camaro, 5.830, 256.21; 13. Carl Stevens, Camaro, 5.832, 254.47; 14. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.837, 246.48; 15. Jeffery Baker, Pontiac GXP, 5.859, 254.42; 16. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.875, 244.96.

Not Qualified: 17. Danny Rowe, 5.882, 247.61; 18. Michael Biehle, 5.905, 248.52; 19. Melanie Salemi, 5.905, 243.24; 20. Eric Latino, 5.918, 230.72; 21. Kenny Lang, 5.936, 243.63; 22. Rick Hord, 5.940, 248.80; 23. Richie Stevens, 6.051, 231.36; 24. Chip King, 6.106, 214.96; 25. Bill Glidden, 6.127, 230.84; 26. Rick Distefano, 6.149, 240.89; 27. Clint Satterfield, 6.564, 156.83; 28. Sidnei Frigo, 6.661, 156.64; 29. Harry Hruska, 6.704, 157.10; 30. Brandon Pesz, 7.515, 131.20; 31. Steve Matusek, 8.388, 124.95; 32. Jeremy Ray, 9.838, 95.62; 33. Bob Rahaim, 9.917, 103.99; 34. Chuck Little, 10.018, 86.62; 35. Ruben Tetsoshvili, 11.255, 66.07.