Jim Whiteley Phoenix preview

Whiteley hoping to stay hot in Phoenix

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Fresh off a win at the season-opening win in Pomona, Calif., NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jim Whiteley and his YNot Racing team are hoping to stay hot as the Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicks off at Firebird Raceway just outside of Phoenix. After running strong numbers at the other drag strip in Phoenix, Speedworld Dragway in January, the team hopes to duplicate those results in competition this weekend.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., cites Firebird Raceway hasn’t been the kindest track to the YNot Team. He hopes to change that this weekend.

“For whatever reason, Firebird is just one of those tracks we haven’t done well at,” said Whiteley. “We’d really like to change that this weekend. Norm [Grimes – Crew Chief] and the guys have worked really hard over the offseason to make the car better. All we can do is go out there and do our best this weekend. As usual, we will have some stiff competition.”

After a rain soaked weekend in Pomona that pushed eliminations back to Tuesday with only one qualifying session, Whiteley looks forward to returning to the normal routine this weekend. No rain is forecasted, with highs projected to be in the mid 80’s.

“The weather should be quite a bit different than what we saw in Pomona; which isn’t a bad thing,” stated Whiteley. “It will be nice to get all the qualifying shots in and get in the normal rhythm.

“Plus, this will be the first weekend for our Top Dragster and Top Sportsman teams,” Whiteley continued. “My wife Annie is still recovering from surgery, but her sister Anita Pulliam will be driving her new Top Dragster, and we will have Scott Stephens driving our Top Sportsman Corvette, and Don Baker driving our Top Sportsman Cobalt.”

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

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 and Advanced Oil Field Service

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com