Jim Whiteley - NHRA LODRS VEGAS PREVIEW

Whiteley set to stage final rally for the Championship
Must win Vegas Division 7 event to pass Reichert in National points


Las Vegas, Nev. – It’s the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Its a few seconds left in the fourth quarter with no time outs. For NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racer Jim Whiteley and his YNot Racing team, his World Championship hopes all come down to this weekend’s Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at ‘The Strip’ at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Whiteley must win the event to pass three-time defending World Champion Bill Reichert in national points standings.

Whiteley, of Grand Junction, Colo., is well aware of what is on the line and what his team has to do this weekend.

“It’s pretty simple,” said Whiteley. “We have to pull it all together and get the job done this weekend. We have been chasing a few problems on the car, but the bottom line is there is no time for excuses this weekend. I have a lot of faith in Norm [Grimes – Crew Chief] and the guys that we can do that. He’s shown it numerous times in the past.”

A win this weekend doesn’t clinch the title for Whiteley, however. If Whiteley wins this weekend, Reichert can still win the title with a second round win at next weekend’s Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif.

“That’s not really something we’re even worried about at the moment,” commented Whiteley. “Next weekend doesn’t matter if we don’t win this weekend.”

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

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


Courtesy of Will Hanna