By: Werner Communications
Hollywood, FL (February 26, 2025) — Project Pontiac, a passion race car project led by NHRA announcer and host of WFO Radio Joe Castello, was almost over before it even got started. In March of 2023, Castello had a dream of rebuilding a race car campaigned by his father, but his engine block was cracked beyond repair and the prospect of investing in a massive rebuild seemed bleak. This was the car Castello’s father, who was in poor health at the end of last year had raced as Castello was growing up. Castello’s goal was to get the car rehabbed and back on track in NHRA Lucas Oil Series competition, with the intention of showing others that it is possible to resurrect even the direst project cars. Fast forward almost exactly two years to last weekend when Castello drove the Project Pontiac race car to the quarterfinals at the season opening event at Orlando Speed World Dragway and Castello feels like he is in a feel-good Disney movie.
“Last weekend was a dream weekend,” said Castello, who lost his father at the end of last year. “I know my dad was riding with me all weekend. The car performed perfectly right off the trailer. I was blown away and I could not have been happier. I can’t wait to get to the Baby Gators.”
Castello worked with several companies and individuals over the past two years to make Project Pontiac a reality. He debuted the motor at the 2024 PRI Show in the FOGGIT booth. The support from FOGGIT’s Gary Stinnett and Steve Williams along with Fuel Factory was a major catalyst in the forward momentum. Throughout the off-season and especially after the new year getting the car race ready was a daunting task that consumed Castello the week leading up to the Orlando race.
“I had a Captain Ahab from Moby Dick level of obsession leading up to Orlando,” said Castello, who is also preparing for his fourteenth season as an NHRA announcer. “Project Pontiac consumed my every thought because I wanted everything to be perfect. When we went out and ran consistent 10.90s, I was so happy and proud. We made it down to six cars and now I am looking at the Baby Gators as another step in the process.”
Throughout the race weekend in Orlando fans were admiring Project Pontiac not only for its on-track Super Street prowess but also for the attention to detail of the car itself. Castello kept the original interior and so many of the custom vibes of the original car. He wanted to make it a tribute to his love for his father, who introduced him to drag racing, and represent the sportsman racing class to the highest level.
Over the previous two years as the project progressed, even more people within the motorsports community learned of Project Pontiac’s purpose – to return a classic bracket car to the track that had tremendous personal meaning to Castello.
The list of contributors to the Project Pontiac is a Who’s Who of industry experts:
• Edelbrock joined in to showcase their aluminum Pontiac heads.
• Straub Technologies completed the machine work with the latest technology available from Rottler Manufacturing.
• Camshaft guru, Billy Goldbold, confirmed the selected grind of the Comp Cam.
• Keith Wilson of Wilson Manifolds worked his magic on the intake manifold.
• John Gaydosh, who is a Pontiac expert, offered a tried-and-true CNC porting job
• Harry Heads in Sioux City, Iowa, also added their hand porting expertise that increased flow an additional 26 CFM.
• Keith Jones fit Project Pontiac with Total Seal rings.
• Summit Racing Equipment providing parts necessary to get the car on track.
“The people who helped are too numerous to name, but a highlight moment was a call I received one morning while installing brakes on my daily car. John Callis was on the phone offering to assist with Morel Lifters,” said Castello. “I freaked out. John, who is a wonderful person, was the Pontiac Racing manager during the 1980’s when I was a 12-year-old fan in the stands with my father, and now he’s calling me to help with Project Pontiac!”
“After the Orlando race so many people in the NHRA community sent me texts or call congratulating me it was a little overwhelming,” added Castello.
Project Pontiac has become a weekly conversation on the WFO Radio TV YouTube livestream. With the goal of racing at the season opening race in the Lucas Oil Series at Orlando Speed World Dragway met Castello is looking at season-long campaign with Project Pontiac beginning this weekend at the Baby Gators at Gainesville Raceway. Fans can follow Castello’s progress on his social media channels as well as www.nhra.tv and www.nhra.com.
