Jim Whiteley Indy preview

Points battle tightens up as Whiteley enters Indy

CLERMONT, Ind. – NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster points leader Jim Whiteley and his YNot Racing team is pulling the drag racing equivalent of an ‘audible’ at the line of scrimmage, making a last minute decision to attend this weekend’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Whiteley enters the event with a 36 point lead over two-time defending World Champ Bill Reichert and defending event champion Marty Thacker, and hopes to not only prevent them from gaining points, but add a few to his total with a strong showing this weekend.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., originally had planned to make his final two national events in Dallas and the season-closer in Pomona, Calif. After winning three straight races before losing in the first round at last weekend’s Topeka, Kan., Division 5 event, Whiteley and his team want to keep racing while they are hot, and the weather is still hot, too.

“We had a stumble last weekend in the first round, but we made the decision to run Indy because the car has been running so good lately,” said Whiteley. “Both of the guys chasing us are going to be there, so it’s kind of stepping up to the fight and taking control of your own destiny. Reichert and Thacker are some awful tough competitors, so we have our work cut out for us. It’s not just the guys we’re battling for points, either. This field is going to be so tough; there won’t be one easy round. It makes for a much tougher race, but it gets you on your toes.

“That’s what it’s all about; our sport,” Whiteley continued. “It still all boils down to my car is badder than your car. It’s just fun to come to the race where all the heavy hitters are and slug it out.”

Momentum has traditionally played a large part in many sports. Whiteley feels drag racing is no different.

“We’ve had a very good run at the past few races,” stated Whiteley. “We had a setback last weekend, but we feel like we’ve built up some momentum with our last few wins. Sometimes you see someone get hot, then quit for a while and lose that momentum. You wonder why they didn’t keep on racing while they are hot. That’s kind of where we are now. Everything is clicking, and we hope it continues that way this weekend. Plus it’s Indy, so it’s the biggest race of them all to try to win.”

Qualifying for the alcohol cars begins on Friday with two sessions, followed by one session on Saturday and one final session Sunday morning. Eliminations begin with round one on Sunday evening and final eliminations will conclude the event on Monday.

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