Annie Whiteley reaches first career national final in Brainerd

Annie Whiteley reaches first career national final in Brainerd

BRAINERD, Minn. – If there was a rookie of the year award for NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car, Annie Whiteley would certainly be one of the front runners for the award. The rookie standout wheeled the YNot Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car to a runner-up finish at this past weekend’s Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The strong showing moved her to second in national points standings.

Whiteley, of Grand Junction, Colo., qualified her Roger Bateman tuned 2011 Mustang second in the field with a 5.593 second elapsed time at 259.11 mph. In round one, she defeated Bruce Carlson with a 5.791 at 249.95, then took out last year’s winner Kris Hool in the semifinals with a 5.689 at 254.86.

In the final, she squared off with perennial class champion Frank Manzo. Whiteley’s mount launched into tire shake and slowed to a 5.708 at 257.24 mph which was not enough to catch Manzo’s 5.528 at 261.02.

Her husband Jim, won in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. They have shared the winner’s circle on the regional level, but have yet to accomplish that feat at the national level.

“We would have liked to get the win, but we are very happy making it to our first final,” said Whiteley. “It would have been really neat to win with Jim, but hopefully we will have another shot at that down the road. I really have to thank Roger and the crew. They do such a great job with the car. They really deserve a lot of the credit for our success this year.”

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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