it’s pretty cool stuff,” he says. “I would have to say
it’s some of the best times of my life.”
Jim and Annie had shared the winner’s circle
several times before, but just moments after run-
ning a blistering 5.41 at 273.22 mph in the Top
Alcohol Funny Car final round at Gainesville to
win her fourth national event, Annie watched
her son roll to the starting line against Pro Mod
titan Mike Castellana. Castellana shook off the
starting line, while Steven Whiteley made a clean
pass of 5.79 at 253.52 to secure his first NHRA
Pro Mod win. It was something new, and by all
accounts added another remarkably special layer
to the family’s incredible journey.
“I’ve won a lot and it’s been great, but it doesn’t
get much better than that,” Jim says proudly. “To
see my family have success, that’s real reward-
ing to me.”
Reed hopes the next step is joining his father or
Annie and Steven in the winner’s circle. “Seeing
Making Moves
Steven Whiteley’s supercharged Cadil-
lac CTS has found a strong rhythm in
2017, running a strong 5.79 at more than
250 mph to win his first NHRA Pro Mod
event. Whiteley and his team have made
noteworthy strides this year, repeatedly
running near the top of the pack in the
loaded Pro Mod class.
them both win, it was pretty freaking sweet. You
could feel it. There were some major emotions
involved.”
For Steven, there was shock and almost disbe-
lief as he tried to process the moment. Not only
had he won for the first time in the NHRA Pro
Mod class, but his mother had done the same just
minutes earlier. Maybe it was a rush of emotion
and memories that added to it. Maybe Steven
was thinking about Dino and Peppy, realizing
just how far he and his family had come. What-
ever the feeling, it was one Steven had waited
his entire life for.
And he can’t wait to experience it again.
“It took a long time for it all to set in,” Steven
says. “Even with the interviews and everything
after, it wasn’t until the following week when it
finally hit home. It was pretty cool. One thing I
always cherished growing up is when both Mom
and Dad would win at the same time. To do that
with Mom was pretty special. Not many people
can top that.”
For the Whiteleys, winning clearly makes all
the hard work, money and time spent more grat-
ifying, but in the long run, it’s racing together as
a family that matters the most.
DI DI DI
DI DI DI DI
DI DI DI
April 2017
DragIllustrated.com
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