Mike Castellana locked down the second qualifying position before earning a first round win against Khalid Al Balooshi, extending his day longer than No. 1 qualifier Shane Molinari who dropped his initial match against Pete Farber during the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Points leader Castellana powered to a 6.000-second pass at 246.84 mph in his Al-Anabi Racing Chevrolet Camaro to earn the victory and extend his lead over second place Troy Coughlin, who dropped his first-round matchup. Castellana is set to go up against Jonathan Gray in the quarterfinals.

"We're just happy to get by first round,” Castellana said. “We'll take it one round at a time. Obviously [Troy] went out which is good for us. We'll just keep plugging away. Hopefully we'll build up a bigger lead and go from there."

Danny Rowe will face off with Mike Janis in the quarterfinals, Pete Farber takes on Steve Jackson and Jim Whiteley opposes Chuck Little when eliminations continue on Sunday.

Castellana is currently leading the Pro Mod points standings and has two victories on the year.

J&A Service Pro Mod Series eliminations continue Sunday at 1:50 p.m.

 First round results from the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the 10th of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

ROUND ONE -- Steve Jackson, Chevy Camaro, 5.833, 247.84 def. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 9.260, 118.35; Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 5.869, 248.71 def. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.860, 248.25; Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.878, 247.75 def. Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, 5.829, 251.72; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.000, 246.84 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 9.493, 88.54; Jim Whiteley, Camaro, 5.902, 247.38 def. Sidnei Frigo, Chevy Corvette, Foul - Centerline; Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.879, 247.66 def. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.873, 253.80; Chuck Little, Corvette, 5.897, 244.74 def. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.840, 249.53; Danny Rowe, Corvette, 5.888, 247.88 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.225, 220.98;

Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals:

Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd
 1 6718 Shane Molinari, Battle Ground WA, '68 Firebird 5.778 256.55
 2 44 Mike Castellana, Oyster Bay NY, '17 Camaro  5.781 252.10
 3 288 Sidnei Frigo, Sao Paulo BZ, '16 Corvette   5.784 254.95
 4 1938 Eric Latino, Port Perry ON, '69 Camaro    5.792 252.14
 5 1456 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '16 Camaro     5.815 248.48
 6  1 Rickie Smith, King NC, '17 Camaro       5.830 249.49
 7  5 Steve Matusek, Olathe KS, '68 Camaro     5.833 248.80
 8 280 Steve Jackson, Evans GA, '17 Camaro      5.842 247.88
 9  3 Bob Rahaim, Grosse Pointe MI, '14 Camaro   5.846 249.07
 10 13 Jonathan Gray, Artesia NM, '17 Camaro     5.848 248.57
 11 1262 Chuck Little, Atkinson NH, '63 Corvette    5.859 243.59
 12  2 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '15 Corvette   5.861 255.24
 13  8 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '16 Corvette   5.863 248.11
 14 77 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '16 Mustang  5.867 247.79
 15  7 Khalid alBalooshi, Dubai UA, '17 Camaro    5.870 249.07
 16 1518 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, '69 Daytona   5.873 247.25
    ------------ Not Qualified ------------
 17 303 Dan Stevenson, Bolingbrook IL, '16 Camaro   5.876 252.80
 18 5087 Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '69 Camaro  5.878 248.66
 19  4 Michael Biehle, North Vernon IN, '67 Mustang 5.884 254.28
 20 213 Chip King, Roxboro NC, '69 Charger      5.890 244.16
 21 2105 Doug Winters, Pleasant Garden NC, '69 Chevelle 6.231 237.38
 22 325 Harry Hruska, Hebron IN, '14 Camaro      6.268 243.19
 23 701 Clint Satterfield, Albuquerque NM, '68 Firebi 7.526 209.33