Jim Whiteley Sonoma preview

Whiteley looking to double up in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. – Just one week after winning last week’s Fram-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jim Whiteley and the YNot Racing Team will be looking to double up as they return to Infineon for this weekend’s Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event there. Last week’s win catapulted him back in the World Championship hunt as he enters this weekend’s event ranked fourth nationally (77 points out of first) and second in Division 7 standings (only one point out of first).

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., had one of the most dominating performances out of his Norm Grimes tuned blown alcohol dragster last weekend. He became the fastest blown alcohol dragster in the history of the class by running 273.11 mph in a semifinal victory over Division 7 rival and current national points leader Duane Shields. The pass was also the second quickest run in blown alcohol dragster history, spanning the quarter mile in 5.265 seconds. He also made passes of 5.28 and a 5.290 to defeat Mark Niver for the win.

Whiteley cites the team’s focus on consistency as a key to collecting his third national event win.

“We had a good weekend,” said Whiteley. “We were a little more conservative this weekend and decided to focus on consistency. We’re just now starting to run the extra overdrive on the car and the setup seems to be really coming along. I think our new Brad Anderson Stage 8 heads are helping us use the extra overdrive. All in all the team did a great job and we’re very happy to have collected another win.”

Whiteley cites the importance of this weekend’s divisional for both the national and divisional points.

“Winning last weekend put us back in the hunt,” stated Whiteley. “We need to finish out strong on the national level and pick up some more wins on the divisional side to make up some ground. Right now the focus is on this weekend and trying to have another good weekend. It would be pretty neat to double up here.”

The weekend also remarks the return of Whiteley’s wife Annie and her twin sister Anita Pulliam to competition behind the wheel of their identical 32’ Bantam Altereds in the Top Dragster category.

“We really enjoy it when the Annie and Anita get to come out and race,” commented Whiteley. “It really gets the whole family involved. They have been running some local races, so they’re excited to get back in Top Dragster competition.”

Qualifying begins on=2 0Friday for the alcohol cars, followed by two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

For more information on the team, visit their website at www.YNotRacing.com

For more information on the team's fine partners visit the websites below:

www.bandjtransmission.com - Choose the racing transmission that powers the YNot Top Alcohol Dragster down the track.

www.Goodyear.com - Fly with the Eagles with Goodyear Tires.

www.NGKSparkPlugs.com - Choose the spark plugs winning teams like YNot Racing use, NGK.

The team would also like to thank: J&A Service, Raptor Industries, Advanced Oil Field Service and Knowles Enterprises

Contact: Will Hanna/Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com