Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Mile-High Nationals - Denver, Colorado
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- After a tough start to the season that included eight first-round losses, Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car team rocketed to their 40th career final round at the last event on the tour, the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping.
- With his powerful raceday performance two weeks ago, Wilkerson moved up to within 22 points of the top 10
- As the 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
- He has finished in the top 10 in 13 of his 22 years as a nitro Funny Car driver, including in each of the most recent 10 years.
- The NHRA Mile-High Nationals will be the 483rd 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's Career Stats through 2018 NHRA New England Nationals in Epping
(most recent event)
482 races
20 wins
20 runner-up finishes
40 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 Mile-High Nationals:
"We won that race in 2008, and we were the first ones to win in the 1,000-foot era. The cool thing about it was that we did it with a brand new car because we had to change chassis designs by then. Everybody was like, oh, we got him now – that new car will never work like the old one. But then we went out there and won the race, so that was way fun. As for this year, we could run well there, but then again it could be treacherous with this current track prep. We'll see, but we know that you don't have to be in the top half of the field to win the race right now. We're looking forward to seeing our old pal Dick Levi and a great group in the Levi, Ray & Shoup hospitality tent. Denver is always a fun one, and hopefully they'll see us do well this weekend."
Race Info
39th annual Mile-High NHRA Nationals
Bandimere Speedway
Denver, Colorado
July 20-22, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, July 20
11:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
5:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
7:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, July 21
11:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
5:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
7:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, July 22
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin, eliminations for all categories continue
Television Schedule (all times ET)
Saturday, July 21, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage LIVE from 7:30 – 10:00 pm
Sunday, July 22, watch finals LIVE on the national FOX Network (not FS1) from 3 - 6:00 pm
Join the conversation by using #MileHighNats on social media
**Full results posted throughout the weekend at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery