WHITELEY AND BARTONE WIN; BUTNER DOUBLES UP

Words by Eric Lotz
Photos by James Drew

Jim Whiteley and Tony Bartone led the list of winners for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Big O Tries NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway while Bo Butner scored the elusive double taking home the trophy in both Comp and Stock Eliminator.

Jim Whiteley’s YNot Racing dragster.

Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., added a win to his championship season when he knocked out Joey Severance in a close Top Alcohol Dragster final round. Whiteley clocked in at 5.340 seconds at 270 mph to Severance, Woodburn, Ore., at 5.363, 266 mph. Whiteley, who has already clinched the 2012 National Championship, has six national event wins on the season along with three regional wins.