Fri, 14 Jul 2006, 06:31 PM Wiley X Eye Wear to Sponsor Jim Yates on NHRA's Western Swing

Courtesy of Joe Sherk

MORRISON, Colo. -- Wiley X Eye Wear is increasing its involvement with Jim Yates' Pro Stock team and will become the primary sponsor of his Pontiac GTO for the next three races - NHRA's traditional Western Swing that features events at Denver, Seattle (July 21-23) and Sonoma, Calif. (July 28-30).

Yates' Wiley X Eye Wear GTO will make its first appearance Friday when qualifying begins for the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

"Wiley X has been involved with our program for more than a year. The company was pleased with the response and exposure it received during that time," said Yates, a two-time NHRA POWERade champion. "It plans to expand into the retail market and we are happy they chose our team and drag racing to help raise brand awareness. I wear their glasses. They have been instrumental in improving my starting-line reaction times."

Wiley X makes protective eye wear, supplying glasses to the U.S. Military in the Middle East.

Yates, who has a win in two final rounds this year, is in the midst of a tense championship chase. He currently is fourth in points, just 93 points out of first place.