Yates’ Wiley X Eye Wear/Sea Ray Boats Pontiac GTO team is a family operation. Yates not only owns the team and drives the car; he drives the transporter from race to race accompanied by wife Toni, who also is a multi-tasking team member. Son Jamie is the crew chief while son Jon and daughter Melissa assist whenever possible. Al Waters is a crew member and wily veteran engine builder Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins supplies the horsepower.
Yates is a two-time series champion (1996-97). He has 26 victories in 58 finals rounds and has finished in the top 10 14 times. He began his competitive career in 1990.
The five drivers with more round wins are, in order, John Force (Funny Car), 967; Warren Johnson (Pro Stock), 830; Kenny Bernstein (Top Fuel/Funny Car), 670; Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock), 447; and Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), 425. Those drivers remain active and capable of increasing their totals.
Yates believes he will be contending for a position in the 16-car field this weekend in the Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, April 27-29. And he’s brimming with confidence following a successful early-week test session.
“The car ran really well, ” he said. “We are getting things figured out. The car responded to changes we made. The more changes we made, the better the car ran. I feel we can be in the top four or five cars in qualifying.
“I think our new GTO is showing a pulse. ”
Yates hopes his race team can continue showing a pulse.
Pro Stock qualifying unfolds Friday and 3:30 and 6:30 p. m. and Saturday at 11:30 a. m. and 2:30 p. m. Sunday’s eliminations begin at 11 a. m.
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