Jim Whiteley looking for unprecedented third-straight All-Stars title

Jim Whiteley looking for unprecedented third-straight All-Stars title

JOLIET, Ill. – In any kind of sport, an “All-Star” game brings out the best of the best. In NHRA Drag Racing, the Jegs Sportsman All-Stars race held at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago is no exception to that rule. Current Top Alcohol Dragster points leader Jim Whiteley and his YNot Racing team will have a drag racing double-header of sorts as they not only have the All-Stars race on Friday and Saturday, but have the O’Reilly Route 66 Nationals on Sunday.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., has won the Jegs All-Stars event for the past two years. He has an opportunity to make history, as no racer in Top Alcohol Dragster has ever won three straight Jegs All-Star titles.

“The Jegs All-Star race is a lot of fun,” said Whiteley. “We’re not really focused on trying to make history, but to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the hero’s of this class is a real honor for us.”

While this weekend’s glory may center on the All-Stars race, it is an exhibition race run within the national event this weekend. With two national event and three regional event wins to his credit this year, Whiteley having one of his best seasons of his career, and would like to build on his points lead with a win on Sunday.

“Our main focus is definitely on winning the national event,” commented Whiteley. “Norm [Grimes – Crew Chief] really has a handle on the car right now. This is probably the best race car I’ve ever had. The car just goes down the track every run. In the past we have struggled from time to time getting the car off the line.

“We have struggled a bit with humid conditions this year, and we’ll certainly see that this weekend,” Whiteley continued. “With the way the car is going down the race track, Norm has really been able to get in a comfort zone and apply more power. His confidence level is up, and that just raises everyone on the team’s confidence level.”

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

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

RaceGoodyear.com - Goodyear's position as the leading tire maker in drag racing is unquestioned. The quickest, fastest and most powerful earth-bound machines in the world look to Goodyear for tires that generate enough traction to take advantage of their stunning ability to go fast in a straight line.

NGKSparkPlugs.com - When performance counts, the fastest teams on two wheels or four, on land or on water choose NGK Spark Plugs.

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 YNot Racing