Jim Whiteley- Las Vegas NHRA Preview

Whiteley looking for late-season rally in Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Despite Vegas not technically being a ‘home game’ for NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racer Jim Whiteley and his YNot Racing team, the high altitude of “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway could be considered home field advantage for his blown alcohol combination. Whiteley hopes to use some of that home field advantage at this weekend’s Lucas Oil Las Vegas Nationals as he tries to stage a late season rally to win the Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship.

Whiteley, of Grand Junction, Colo., enters the event with one national event and one divisional event left to claim towards his national points total. He currently trails three-time defending World Champ Bill Reichert by 11 points. Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster can claim points at their best five out of the first eight nationals they attend and likewise for divisionals. Whiteley must reach the semifinals to gain any points this weekend.

“We just have to pull it together this weekend and make it happen,” said Whiteley. “We’ve ran well here in the past, but sometimes it seems like there’s always something jumping up and biting us at this track. I’ve got a great team behind me, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Whiteley is quick to point out there will be plenty of competition to stand in his way this weekend, blown or A/Fuel (Injected Nitro – Reichert’s combination).

“Other than Denver, this is about the best track for us to make our last push,” said Whiteley. “Reichert won’t be here this weekend, but there are plenty of tough teams out here that can knock us off. We’ll just have to do our jobs and see how it plays out.”

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

For more information on the team, visit their website at www.YNotRacing.com or follow them on Twitter @YNotRacing