Wilkerson knows where to focus after trouble at NHRA season-opener
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
POMONA, Calif. (February 12, 2017) – Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang had a great run in qualifying at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals when the team owner, crew chief, and driver clocked a career-best 3.857-second pass. Sunday at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener wasn't quite as fulfilling, but it gave Wilkerson and Team LRS a direction on which to focus before the next race on the tour.
In the opening round of eliminations at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Wilkerson, the No. 6 qualifier, had lane choice over Funny Car newcomer J.R. Todd. The two were nearly together as they left the starting line, but Wilkerson quickly forfeited the run as his engine overpowered the racetrack, and the tires of his Funny Car lost grip.
"It was just a little too fast on the starting line, and we were just a little too greedy," said Wilkerson, a veteran driver who has finished in the top 10 in the competitive Funny Car category in each of the last nine seasons. "We needed less clutch, but we've been kind of behind that for the last three runs. The track checked good, but I think the sun beating on it got us. It was just a bad decision."
Wilkerson elaborated, explaining, "The clutch package still has me a little worried. It kind of showed its hand there, with it being hot outside. The engine is having a hard time getting above the clutch, and that's what's got us in trouble two of the runs [this weekend]. I don't know if it will ever have a nice enough window to race, but I try not to make too many decisions right after I get beat. I'm optimistic, but it's aggravating me right now, so I'm going to think about it over the next couple of days."
What's Next
The 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals will take place at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., February 24-26, 2017.
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Funny Car Standings
(after Pomona, race 1 of 24)
- Matt Hagan, 119
- Courtney Force, 99
- John Force, 80
- Ron Capps, 77
- Jack Beckman, 53
- t. Tommy Johnson Jr., 52
t. J.R. Todd, 52
t. Del Worsham, 52
- Robert Hight, 36
- Alexis DeJoria, 35
- Tim Wilkerson, 34
- Cruz Pedregon, 32
- t. Phil Burkart, 31
t. Jim Campbell, 31
t. Jeff Diehl, 31
- Bob Bode, 26
- Jeff Arend, 10
- Gary Densham, 05
Photo credit: Auto Imagery