Annie Whiteley looking to maintain Western Region lead in Woodburn

Annie Whiteley looking to maintain Western Region lead in Woodburn

WOODBURN, Ore. – Rookie NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Annie Whiteley and her YNot Racing team will be looking to maintain their points lead in the Western Region as they compete at this weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Western Regional at Woodburn Dragstrip. Whiteley currently holds a 95 point lead over second-place Steve Gasparrelli going into this weekend.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., has enjoyed a ‘dream’ season for a rookie. The team entered the season with modest expectations and planned to just use it as a learning year for Whiteley. She won her first career event at her second regional event of the season in Las Vegas, and has since won two more in Tulsa and Sonoma.

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if it was not for the great team I have behind me,” Whiteley points out. “My Crew Chief Roger Bateman and the crew have given me a great car to drive and been great teachers. They have been patient with me. We have been fortunate to make a lot of runs this year between racing and testing, and every pass I get more comfortable in the car. This year was just to get me seat time and to learn. Once we won a few races, we realized we had a chance at the Regional Championship, so we’re going to give it our best shot.”

As if the chance winning the Western Regional Championship in her rookie season wasn’t enough of a dream-come-true, her husband, Jim, has a chance at winning the championship in the Top Alcohol Dragster category. If they were to both win the Western Region, which would be the first time in NHRA history that a husband and wife had won a Championship in the same year. They have already won at the same event twice this year.

“It has been a pretty special year already winning two races with Jim,” stated Whiteley. “If we were to win the championship together, that would really be something. It’s nice to think about, but there are a lot of tough racers that are capable of winning the championship as well. We just have to focus on this weekend in Woodburn, and hopefully everything works out by the end of the year.”

Qualifying starts on Friday for the alcohol cars, followed by two sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

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The team would also like to thank the continued support of J&A Services and Advanced Oilfield Services.

Contact: Pro Race Communications 979.415.4959
Attached photo courtesy of James Drew Photography