Wilkerson Preparing For Challenging NHRA Western Swing
Posted by: Nicole Erickson
Springfield, Ill (July 19, 2016) – This weekend the NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver kicks-off the 2016 NHRA Western Swing. Teams will race for three straight weekends in the Western United States: Denver, Sonoma and Seattle.
For independent teams like Tim Wilkerson Racing, this is the most challenging stretch of the year. Being on the West Coast for three weeks requires careful planning and packing.
“The Western Swing is a huge challenge because we compete so far from home. We have to pack up enough parts to get us through three races since we can’t get back to the shop. This is where only having one truck and trailer becomes a deficit for us,” explained Wilkerson. “We have to find space for everything and we can’t go over a certain weight. We are using every nook and cranny we have in our race and hospitality trailer.”
Wilkerson won this race in 2008 and he hopes to put his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang in the Winner’s Circle again in front of a large crowd. Many teams struggle to adapt their tune-ups to the high altitude of Denver.
“The conditions at Bandimere Speedway are so different from all the other tracks we compete at,” Wilkerson said. “Racing at such a high altitude means big changes in the way we set the car up. It’s really a matter of survival up on there on the mountain.”
The NHRA Mile-High Nationals will also be the first race in which fans can watch Drag Racing action on the FOX Network. Coverage of eliminations, including broadcasting the final rounds LIVE, will take place on Sunday, starting at 3:00 p.m.
RACING SCHEDULE
Friday, July 22, 2016: Nitro Qualifying – 5:30 & 8:00 p.m. (MT)
Saturday, July 23, 2016: Nitro Qualifying – 4:30 & 7:00 p.m. (MT)
Sunday, July 24, 2016: Nitro Eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.
TV SCHEDULE
Friday, July 22: Qualifying Coverage 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. (FS1)
Saturday, July 23: Qualifying Coverage 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (FS1)
Sunday, July 24: Eliminations LIVE on FOX Network: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Follow Tim Wilkerson Racing on Social Media:
Twitter: @TimWilkerson_FC
Facebook.com/timwilkersonracing
Instagram: @TimWilkersonRacing