Tim Wilkerson Racing NHRA SpringNationals
Notes and Quotes
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson won the 2004 NHRA SpringNationals with a final-round defeat of Jerry Toliver
- Team Royal Purple driver Wilkerson, the driver, tuner, and team owner of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang 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 SpringNationals will be the 475th 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 Houston
1 win in 3 Houston final rounds
Runner-up 2016 (Courtney Force)
Runner-up 2013 (Cruz Pedregon)
Won 2004 (defeated Jerry Toliver)
No. 1 in Houston in 2016
At Houston in 2017: Qualified No. 8, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Wilkerson's Career Stats through 2018 NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals
(most recent event)
473 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 SpringNationals
"Houston has historically been a good race for us, and our car seems to know how to run well there on occasion. Winning that race in 2004 was a high point for us, especially because we looked like the smartest guys in the world on a racetrack nobody else could seem to get down. Low e.t. almost every round and winning the race – that was crazy because there were sure a lot of good cars there. But we did it, and it was a lot of fun. They've given us a new racing surface this year, and hopefully we'll be able to dig up our mojo and use that new pavement to our advantage there at Royal Purple Raceway.
"It's also always a lot of fun to go to Houston and race because we're proud to be part of Team Royal Purple. It's an honor to race on their namesake track, and hopefully, we make them proud."
Race Info
NHRA SpringNationals
Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas
April 20-22, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, April 20
9:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
3:20 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series qualifying session 1
4:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
6:00 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series qualifying session 2
6:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, April 21
9:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
12:45 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series qualifying session 3
1:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
3:55 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series qualifying session 4
4:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, April 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
Friday, April 20, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 9:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday April 22, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 22, FS1 will televise three hours of LIVE finals coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
Photo credit: Auto Imagery