Tim Wilkerson Racing 49th annual NHRA Gatornationals
Notes and Quotes
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson made his nitro Funny Car debut at Gainesville Raceway in 1996
- Wilk drove the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang nitro Funny Car to victory in Gainesville in 2010. He was low qualifier there in 2004.
- Wilkerson, the driver, tuner, and team owner of the LRS Funny Car, is an independent driver and one of just two single-car teams in the category to finish in the top 10 in 2017
- The NHRA Gatornationals will be the 472nd race of Wilkerson's career as a nitro Funny Car driver
Wilkerson in Gainesville
1 win in 1 final round in Gainesville
Won 2010 (defeated Bob Tasca)
No. 1 in 2004
In 2017: Qualified No. 9, defeated by Jack Beckman in first round
Wilkerson's Career Stats through 2018 NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix
(most recent previous event)
471 races
20 wins
19 runner-up finishes
39 overall final rounds
19 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
Quotes
"I'd like to get some redemption in Gainesville. The last two years haven't been great for us there, and we didn't start off this season quite how we wanted to. This would be a good race to see that turnaround that we've been looking for."
"My guys have been great, and they've worked really hard. They haven't been the problem, that's for sure, we've just had some circumstances with the behavior of the car that have put us behind where we want to be."
"Saturday will be a big day for us there at Gainesville, because we've got a couple hundred guests along with Mr. Levi, so that will be a lot of fun. It'll be great to get Dick back to the racetrack where he belongs, and he'll be a happy camper hanging out with us. Hopefully, we can make some good runs there and do a little better job."
Race Info
49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.
March 16-19, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Thursday, March 15
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying
Friday, March 16
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
10:30 a.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying
12:30 p.m. – E3 Sparkplugs Pro Mod Series qualifying
1:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
4:00 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying
4:30 p.m. – E3 Sparkplugs Pro Mod Series qualifying
5:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, March 17
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
11:30 a.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying
12:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
1:30 p.m. – E3 Sparkplugs Pro Mod Series qualifying
2:45 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown round 1
3:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
4:30 p.m. – E3 Sparkplugs Pro Mod Series qualifying
Sunday, March 18
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
9:45 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin; eliminations for all categories continue
Television Schedule
Friday, Mar. 16, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
Saturday. Mar. 17, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Mar. 18, FS1 will televise three hours of LIVE finals coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. (ET).
Photo credit: Auto Imagery