(Jeff Burk photo)

(Jeff Burk photo)

“It’s been a long time since we won a championship. We won seven titles [IHRA Pro Stock and Super Modified] but the last one was in 1989,” said the 59-year-old Smith from King, N.C. “I’ve been doing this for 40 solid years. I drive my own truck and put my own awning up and it’s time to back off, be a crew chief and let these young guys do it. I am tickled to death to pull this deal off.

“I want to thank IDG for giving me this (opportunity) to finish my career out. I want to walk away from this thing a champion.” 

New York native Castellana outran newly crowned series champion Smith in the final round to take his first victory of the season and fourth of his NHRA career. He powered his Al-Anabi Racing ’68 Camaro to a winning performance of 6.084 seconds at 194.72 mph to finish in front of Smith’s late model IDG Chevy Camaro, which slowed near mid-track.