Annie Whiteley looking to make more history in Vegas

Annie Whiteley hoping to make more history in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – For rookie NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Annie Whiteley, the 2012 season has been everything she could hope for. She has been able to wheel her YNot Racing Mustang to four winner’s circles en route to clinching the Western Region Championship. She can also become part of NHRA history during this weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Western Region finale at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Her husband Jim has a shot at winning the Top Alcohol Dragster Championship, which would make them the first husband and wife to win their Region Championships together.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., enters the weekend after her second national event final round appearance during last weekend’s Big O Tires Nationals held here. “The Strip” was also the site of her first Regional win in March.

“Vegas has been pretty good to me this year,” said Whiteley. “Vegas is a great facility but it’s a tough place to win because there are usually so many good cars here. My Crew Chief Roger Bateman told me last weekend after we made the final, it’s good to just win once in Vegas, much less get a win and a runner-up in the same year. Hopefully we can have another good showing this weekend.

“If we could share the Championship, that would be pretty awesome,” Whiteley continued. “I’m usually Jim’s biggest fan anyway, but we will be rooting for him even more this weekend!”

Her path to Top Alcohol Funny Car started last season as she started licensing and testing while Bateman drove the car to the Division 5 Championship. She made her competition debut at this event last year, and has attended 14 events this season. With 106 passes under her belt coming into this weekend, she cites things are really starting to slow down in the cockpit.

“Things are actually slow enough now that I can kind of think about what I’m doing,” Whiteley explained. “At first I just kind of reacted by the seat of my pants. My team has been very patient with me. I have been very fortunate to get driving advice from Jim, Roger and Mike Strasburg, among others. Our accomplishments this year have definitely been a team effort.”

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

To find out more about YNot Racing’s promotional partners, visit the websites below:

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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