<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/JEGS_Pro_Mod_08.jpg" alt="JEGS_Pro_Mod_08" align="left"borders="0"/>
(6-23/08) ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge champion Josh Hernandez made a big move Sunday with his second victory of the season. Hernandez beat Mike Castellana in the final round of the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals to jump from sixth to second place and is now just 51 points behind leader Tony Pontieri.
This was Hernandez's 15th win in the eight-year history of the JEGS ProMod Challenge series, by far the most of any racer. It was the first time he claimed a trophy at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
"We owed this to a couple of people," Hernandez said. "We were on a great streak coming into this race a year ago and Tim Tindle whipped us and ended that deal so we wanted to come back strong here. That was the plan and it all worked out."
The winner's circle celebration was subdued as the NHRA tour continues to mourn the loss of Funny Car racer Scott Kalitta, who was killed Saturday after a horrifying accident in the final session of qualifying.
"This was certainly done with mixed emotions," Hernandez said. "I was just numb today. I mean, I'm happy to get another win but it doesn't feel like you want to celebrate. We'll just take the trophy, bid farewell with respect to a great, great person and champion drag racer, and get out of here."
The runner-up result was impressive for Castellana, who was racing in his first JEGS ProMod Challenge event of the year. The three-time JEGS winner ran the quickest and fastest pass in NHRA competition by a nitrous-powered car when he went 6.048 at 239.65 mph in the semifinals.
"He got my attention," Hernandez said. "It was perfect conditions for him to run the first five-second nitrous pass in history in the finals but he broke something and had to shut off. We were geared up for anything and that's why we put that 5.983 (at 240.51 mph) on the board in the final. We knew we'd need a big pass.
"I can't say enough about my Team Rage/Tommy Lipar Racing crew guys, who are like family to me and keep this thing running like a freight train. My uncle Randy even came up to give support so it feels good to do well with family around."
The JEGS ProMod Challenge takes two months off before its next event, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, which run from Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Hernandez powers up points with win in Englishtown
(6-23/08) ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge champion Josh Hernandez made a big move Sunday with his second victory of the season. Hernandez beat Mike Castellana in the final round of the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals to jump from sixth to second place and is now just 51 points behind leader Tony Pontieri.
This was Hernandez's 15th win in the eight-year history of the JEGS ProMod Challenge series, by far the most of any racer. It was the first time he claimed a trophy at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
"We owed this to a couple of people," Hernandez said. "We were on a great streak coming into this race a year ago and Tim Tindle whipped us and ended that deal so we wanted to come back strong here. That was the plan and it all worked out."
The winner's circle celebration was subdued as the NHRA tour continues to mourn the loss of Funny Car racer Scott Kalitta, who was killed Saturday after a horrifying accident in the final session of qualifying.
"This was certainly done with mixed emotions," Hernandez said. "I was just numb today. I mean, I'm happy to get another win but it doesn't feel like you want to celebrate. We'll just take the trophy, bid farewell with respect to a great, great person and champion drag racer, and get out of here."
The runner-up result was impressive for Castellana, who was racing in his first JEGS ProMod Challenge event of the year. The three-time JEGS winner ran the quickest and fastest pass in NHRA competition by a nitrous-powered car when he went 6.048 at 239.65 mph in the semifinals.
"He got my attention," Hernandez said. "It was perfect conditions for him to run the first five-second nitrous pass in history in the finals but he broke something and had to shut off. We were geared up for anything and that's why we put that 5.983 (at 240.51 mph) on the board in the final. We knew we'd need a big pass.
"I can't say enough about my Team Rage/Tommy Lipar Racing crew guys, who are like family to me and keep this thing running like a freight train. My uncle Randy even came up to give support so it feels good to do well with family around."
The JEGS ProMod Challenge takes two months off before its next event, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, which run from Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
