Wilkerson Optimistic Hard Work And Testing Will Payoff In Countdown To Championship
Posted by: Nicole Erickson
Springfield, Illinois (September 14, 2016) – Tim Wilkerson started the year strong, winning two of the first five NHRA Mello Yello Drag Races. Wilkerson hopes to bring that momentum back as the Countdown to the Championship begins this weekend at the Ninth Annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Wilkerson drives into Charlotte ninth in Nitro Funny Car. He is confident his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang will perform well in the Countdown, thanks to his close knit team and the hard work they have put in on the road for the last three months.
“I’m pretty optimistic and my crew guys are really excited coming into Charlotte,” Wilkerson said. “While the other teams have taken weekends off here and there this past month, we’ve been on the road at match races, testing out combinations and setups we can use to help us win going into the Countdown.”
The team came to Charlotte from match racing in Epping, New Hampshire this past weekend which turned out positive feedback Wilkerson and his crew can build on during the next six races.
“Epping went well. We tried some new combinations and other things on the car showed really good signs,” Wilkerson said. “It is important for us to go as many rounds as we can to gain points and move up the ladder toward the championship.”
Last time Wilkerson was at zMAX Dragway he was in the Winner’s Circle of the 4-Wide Nationals this past spring. He’s hoping to have the same luck this weekend.
“If we can make the same runs we made in Charlotte this past spring – this fall, and the rest of the group makes the runs they made, we’ll be in good shape,” Wilkerson joked. “Now it seems a 3.90 is an easy run to make anymore. Hopefully we can go in there with some momentum now. Put this ‘smoking the tires’ thing behind us.”
SCHEDULE FOR THE 9th ANNUAL NHRA CAROLINA NATIONALS
- Friday, September 16: Nitro Qualifying 4:00 & 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September 17: Nitro Qualifying 1:30 & 3:45 p.m.
- Sunday, September 18: Nitro Eliminations at 12:00 p.m.
FOX SPORTS TELEVISION AIR-TIMES (All times Eastern)
- Friday, September 16: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Qualifying Coverage
- Sunday, September 18: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Qualifying Coverage
- Sunday, September 18: 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. LIVE Coverage of Eliminations
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