Tim Wilkerson Racing Notes and Quotes - NHRA Toyota Nationals - Las Vegas, NV
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang
Car No.: FC8
Current points position: No. 4
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson says that his 2008 victory over Ashley Force Hood at the spring race in Las Vegas is one of his favorites out of 20 nitro Funny Car wins
- Wilkerson enters the event, the fifth in NHRA's 2018 Countdown to the Championship playoffs, in the No. 4 position and just two points out of third.
- 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 Toyota Nationals will be the 492nd 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 Las Vegas
1 win in 1 Las Vegas final
Won LV1 2008 (defeated Ashley Force Hood)
Last year at this event: Qualified No. 14, first round
Wilkerson's career stats through 2018 NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte
(most recent event)
490 races
20 wins
22 runner-up finishes
42 final rounds
19 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
Wilkerson on Las Vegas
"A lot of the focus is on the points, but for us, we're just trying to focus on winning rounds, and if the rounds fall in our favor, then we're doing pretty good. I can't control what the other guys are doing, so our focus really has to be on our own game. We know that when we get to Pomona in a couple weeks for the finals, we have to have a good race, and we're going to have to get our big boy pants on for that one. Vegas could be that way, too. No matter what, I'm wound up. I have something for them. I might be getting more focused and more irritated, but that's usually a good thing for us."
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Funny Car Standings
(after NHRA Carolina Nationals, Countdown to the Championship race 4 of 6)
1. Robert Hight, 2445
2. J.R. Todd, 2434
3. Ron Capps, 2336
4. Tim Wilkerson, 2334
5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2296
6. Courtney Force, 2264
7. John Force, 2241
8. Matt Hagan, 2229
9. Jack Beckman, 2204
10. Shawn Langdon, 2152
Race Info
NHRA Toyota Nationals
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 26-28, 2018
Run Schedule (all times ET)
Friday, October 26
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
11:45 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
2:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
After pro qualifying – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying continues
Saturday, October 27
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin with Stock Eliminator round 1
11:45 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
2:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
After pro qualifying – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
Sunday, October 28
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Sportsman Eliminations continue
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies, driver introductions
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin, eliminations for all categories continue
#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule
Qualifying / Friday – 6-7 PM ET | FS1
Qualifying / Saturday – 5-6:30 PM ET | FS2
Qualifying / Sunday – 3:30-4:30 PM ET | FS1
Finals / Sunday – 7-10 PM ET | FS1
Join the conversation by using #VegasNats on social media
**Full results posted throughout the weekend at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery