Annie Whiteley scores second career regional win in Tulsa Husband Jim wins Top Alcoho

Annie Whiteley scores second career regional win in Tulsa
Husband Jim wins Top Alcohol Dragster for second husband-wife win

TULSA, Okla. – In only her fourth start in NHRA regional competition, rookie Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Annie Whiteley scored her second win in the YNot Racing Mustang during this past weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Central Regional at Tulsa Raceway Park. With her husband Jim winning the Top Alcohol Dragster category, it was an all-Whiteley, all-YNot Top Alcohol winner’s circle in Tulsa.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., qualified her Roger Bateman tuned machine second in the field with a 5.730 second elapsed time at 251.34 mph. In round one, she defeated Scott McVey with a 5.784 at 247.97, then defeated last weekend’s Denver winner Kirk Williams with a 5.730 at 250.83.

The final would be run ‘under the lights,’ around 9:30 p.m., setting up Whiteley’s first time to race at night against Mike Bell, who recently took over the driving duties of Vern Moats’ Mustang. Whiteley laid down low e.t. of the event with a 5.672 at 251.34 to take out Bell’s 5.753 at 250.18.

“It was pretty awesome for us to both win again,” said Whiteley. “Making my first night run in the final was pretty nerve racking. The car got a bit out of the groove and I got over on the centerline. I was just thinking ‘don’t hit a cone!’ The track was pretty well lit, and it was fun to race in front of a good crowd.”

Both Whiteley’s are quick to praise Bateman and the Strasburg brothers – Mike, Jeff and Lindsay who maintain the car.

“It was a hot track all weekend,” commented Whiteley. “Roger and the guys did an awesome job as usual.”

“It’s pretty impressive what Roger has done with the car this year,” added her husband Jim. “With the Strasburgs maintaining the car, Roger is able to really keep his head in the numbers and focus on the tune-up. He’s done a lot of homework. We’re really happy with the job the entire team is doing.”

The win moved Whiteley to third in national points standings and extended her lead in Western Region standings. There will be little time to enjoy the win, as the YNot Racing team will head north to Chicago for this weekend’s O’Reilly Route 66 Nationals.

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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