Defending Event Champion Wilkerson On A Roll in 2016
Posted by: Nicole Erickson
Springfield, Ill (May 11, 2016) – Tim Wilkerson is on a roll in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Currently tied for first place in the Nitro Funny Car Championship Point Standings, coming into the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Wilkerson has two wins and three final round appearances under his belt so far this season and was No. 1 qualifier last week in Houston.
“I’m fortunate to be one of the faster cars out there. As a team, we are doing everything we can to make the car run faster each race,” said Wilkerson. “I hope this trend we are on continues. I’m enjoying every minute of it, because you never know when things can change.”
Wilkerson’s Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang is the only multi-race winner in Nitro Funny Car this year and he’s been straying from normal standards doing it. He retired the car he won with in Phoenix, which surprised most people. He brought out a new Murf McKinney chassis four races into the new season and ended up winning Charlotte in it. Now he’s getting a new body to go on the still relatively new chassis.
“I just picked up a new Ford Shelby Mustang body from Murf the other day that I plan on debuting in Atlanta,” said Wilkerson. “I have to admit that is looks good. The paint scheme is just a little different and has new colors that will make it pop.”
Wilkerson will have a larger than normal cheering section this weekend as a Summit sponsored Funny Car.
“I’m going to have a lot of my sponsors in my pit this weekend and I want to do them proud. Dick Levi is really excited by how well the team has been doing so he wanted to come out to watch this car in action. And of course, everyone from Summit Racing Equipment will be at Atlanta Dragway as the race sponsor. Last year we brought home the Wally for them and we want to do it again.”
Wilkerson’s Summit teammate Jason Line is also a returning champion at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. In fact, the last three NHRA Winner’s Circle appearances Wilkerson has made, Line was standing on stage with him.
“I’m a big cheerleader for Jason. We have been lucky enough to raise our Wally’s together the last two seasons, so I was definitely routing for him when we both went to the finals in Houston!”
The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Schedule
Friday: Nitro Qualifying at 4:45 – 7:15 p.m. (EST)
Saturday: Nitro Qualifying at 2:15 & 4:45 p.m. (EST)
Sunday: Nitro Eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. (EST)
Television Coverage of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals on FOX Sports 1
Friday: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Saturday: 10 – 11 p.m. (ET)
Sunday: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Follow Tim Wilkerson Racing on Social Media:
Twitter: @TimWilkerson_FC
Facebook.com/timwilkersonracing
Instagram: @TimWilkersonRacing