Jim Whiteley preview

Whiteley shooting for No. 2 in Pomona   POMONA, Calif. - In drag racing, there is one winner and one loser.  So it's not often a driver goes into a race looking to be 'No. 2.'  That's exactly what NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jim Whiteley and his 'YNot' Racing team are shooting for during this weekend's Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.  With the national championship already clinched, Whiteley hopes a strong finish will catapult him from third to second in national points standings.   Whiteley, an entrepreneur in Grand Junction, Colo., enters the event hot off a runner-up finish at a Lucas Oil Divisional event in Reynolds, Ga.  He cites his Norm Grimes lead team identified a significant problem that was hindering the performance of the car and is looking forward to this weekend.   "We found an issue with the car that has been a problem since we won Englishtown," said Whiteley.  "With that behind us, we're really looking forward to Pomona.  The car really responded in Reynolds.  We were running .90 sixty foot times, so we're excited about what the car can do on a national event track."   "We're hoping to finish the year strong," Whiteley continued.  "With the championship out of reach, we would love to finish second.  Whatever happens, we're going to go out there to win.  We're not testing; we're in full race mode."   -credit: yr