Two Wilkersons Racing The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Posted by: Nicole Erickson
Springfield, Ill (April 19, 2016) - Not only will Tim Wilkerson be competing at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods, but his son Daniel will also be behind-the-wheel of a Nitro Funny Car. Tim will be driving his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang this weekend in Charlotte, NC and Daniel will be in the Brian Stewart Nitro Funny Car.
“I was just excited to finally be able to watch the Four-Wide Nationals from the stands. I don’t get to travel to this race since I work in public accounting and it’s usually held during tax season. Now to be driving in the event is amazing,” said Daniel.
The last NHRA Mello-Yello Series race Daniel competed in was St. Louis back in 2013. The last event he participated in was a match race against Tim in Cordova last year. Brian Stewart’s Funny Car that Daniel’s driving this weekend is actually the car that Tim Wilkerson won with at the NHRA race in Phoenix earlier this year. Tim sold “Bessie” to Stewart before unveiling his new Murf McKinney chassis at Las Vegas.
“I’m excited to have Daniel driving in the NHRA again. I think this will be a really good experience for him,” admitted Tim. “I really want to thank Brian Stewart for giving Daniel the opportunity to drive his car in Charlotte.”
The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is a once a year spectacle for fans, that can also be tricky for drivers to conquer with double the competition and two Christmas Trees to watch. Daniel believes his long break in driving will actually be an advantage for him.
“I don’t have a regular starting line routine, so when it comes to zoning in on the right tree and lights, I think I will be fine,” said Daniel. “Don’t get me wrong though; I’ll be down at the starting line doing my homework on Thursday night. I picked a heck of a race to make my return to driving.”
Tim is one of those drivers who fell victim to the four-wide tree confusion at the 2015 event. He lost during the first round after leaving the starting line late.
“I really was never a fan of four-wide racing, but I’m warming up to it,” said Tim. “We have to look at it as another race in the series on the way to the championship. I’ve put the unfortunate event of last year’s race behind me and I’m ready to go for the win this year.”
And who will family matriarch Krista be cheering for at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals: husband or son?
“I don’t think she cares as long as we are both safe and sound at the end of the day,” said Tim.
The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods gets underway Friday with the Nitro qualifying sessions at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (EST.) Television coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 with qualifying coverage on Saturday at 10 p.m. and eliminations Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (EST.)