Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson has reached the final round twice in Bristol. He was runner-up in both 2010 and 2014.
- Bristol is one of just five racetracks on the tour where Wilkerson has yet to claim victory. He is still in the hunt for wins in Bristol, Pomona, Epping, Brained, and Richmond.
- Driver, tuner, and team owner of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car, Wilkerson is an independent campaigner and one of just two single-car teams in the category to finish in the top 10 in 2017
- The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be the 480th race of Wilkerson's career as a nitro Funny Car driver
- The early portion of Wilkerson's career included a successful run as a Top Alcohol Funny Car driver. He earned eight divisional trophies and one national event win in the sportsman ranks before going Pro.
Wilkerson in Bristol
2 final rounds
Runner-up 2014 (Tommy Johnson Jr.)
Runner-up 2010 (John Force)
In 2017: Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Wilkerson's Career Stats through 2018 Virginia NHRA Nationals in Richmond
(most recent event)
479 races
20 wins
19 runner-up finishes
39 final rounds
19 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
Wilkerson on the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals:
"I'm optimistic for Bristol, because we've been good at that racetrack. We had a pretty darn good day last Sunday in Richmond, and I felt good about getting a handle on what we need to do. Qualifying last week was just one calamity after another, and I didn't do a good job, but the boys were behind me and kept me straight. Richard Hartman and the guys really pulled me out of our troubles, and now that we've figured out what's going on, maybe we'll have something for them in Bristol. It would sure be nice."
Bristol Dragway Track Records
Pro Stock
Shane Gray, 6.621 (2014)
Bo Butner, 209.26 (2016)
Funny Car
Ron Capps, 3.884 (2016)
Del Worsham, 329.42 (2016)
Top Fuel
Tony Schumacher, 3.745 (2015)
Larry Dixon, 331.04 (2015)
Race Info
18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tennessee
June 15-17, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, June 15
9:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying begins
2:30 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 1
3:45 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 1
4:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
6:15 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 2
6:45 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 2
7:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, June 16
7:45 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
11:30 a.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 3
12:15 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 3
1:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
2:40 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown round 1
2:45 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 4
3:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, June 17
11:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
12:00 noon – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin, eliminations for all categories continue
Television Schedule (all times ET)
Saturday, June 15, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage LIVE from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 16, FS1 will televise qualifying from 9:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 17, FS1 will televise finals coverage from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Photo credit: Auto Imagery