Whiteley shooting for Division 7 title in Reynolds

REYNOLDS, Ga. - In what has certainly been an up and down year, NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jim Whiteley and his 'YNot' Racing Team hope to finish on an up note during the final divisional event of the year, this weekend's Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga. Whiteley, who enters the event third in Division 7 standings, can overtake current points leader Duane Shields with a win this weekend.

Whiteley, from Grand Junction, Colo., can also move as high as second in national points standings with a strong finish this weekend and at the season-ending Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif. Whiteley suffered a horrendous crash at the season opener in Pomona, but has bounced back with a new car to win two national events this season in Topeka, Kan., and Englishtown, N.J.

"There are a lot of points implications on the line this weekend," said Whiteley. "But the bottom line is we want to win regardless. It's probably going to be a tricky track to get down, but I have complete confidence in my crew and Crew Chief Norm Grimes. Regardless of what happens, it's been a good year for us to bounce back like we have from the crash in Pomona. A strong finish would be the icing on the cake and give us a run on next year's pursuit of the championship."

While the event is a must-win for Whiteley to win the Division 7 Championship, he only needs to reach the final to improve his national points standings. He enters the event currently in fourth.

"There are a lot of good drivers that can still move up in points out there," stated Whiteley. "It's an honor to be mentioned with those drivers. Bill Reichert has the championship clinched, but it would be nice to move to second."

Whiteley is not the only member of the team who will be racing in Reynolds. His wife Annie and her twin sister Anita Pulliam both compete identically prepared '32 Bantam Altereds in the Top Dragster category. Anita recently was engaged to Dirk Olsen, who is a business partner of Whiteley's and serves on the crew.

Qualifying begins on Saturday for the alcohol cars, with two sessions. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

For more information on the team, visit their website at The Home of Y Not Racing - Home

For more information on the team's fine partners visit the websites below:

B&J Racing Transmissions - Choose the racing transmission that powers the YNot Top Alcohol Dragster down the track.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Fly with the Eagles with Goodyear Tires.

NGK Spark Plugs USA - 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