Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Sonoma Nationals - Sonoma, California
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car crew are one of just four Funny Car teams to have more than one win at Sonoma Raceway. Wilkerson has won there twice, in 2004 and 2009.
- Last season, Wilkerson raced to the final round in Sonoma, where J.R. Todd got the win.
- Wilkerson enters the event in the No. 11 position, just 2 points out 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 Sonoma Nationals will be the 484th 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 Sonoma
2 wins in 4 final rounds
Runner-up 2017 (J.R. Todd)
Runner-up 2011 (Ron Capps)
Won 2009 (defeated Tony Pedregon)
Won 2004 (defeated John Force)
Last year: Qualified No. 8; final round
Wilkerson's Career Stats through 2018 NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver
(most recent event)
483 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 Sonoma Nationals:
"We all know that you shouldn't ever brag about your kid or your car, but we're going to go there and do the same thing we've been doing the last two or three races, and hopefully we'll shine. By the time we get to Indy and the U.S. Nationals, we're hoping that we'll be far enough ahead that the points and a half deal won't make a difference. But oh gosh, what a nice car we have right now. You saw, first round of Denver – we were low e.t. of the round. I had a good car up there, and the train is coming. It's a tight battle right now, but that doesn't bother me a bit."
Race Info
31st annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, California
July 27-29, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, July 27
9:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
4:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
7:00 p.m. – Pro Stock qualifying session 2
7:45 p.m. – Exhibitions (Top the Cops, Big Tire Shootout, cacklefest)
8:00 p.m. – Funny Car and Top Fuel qualifying session 2
Saturday, July 28
8:15 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
1:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
4:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, July 29
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 28, FS1 will televise qualifying coverage LIVE from 8 – 10:00 pm
Sunday, July 29, eliminations LIVE on national FOX Network (not FS1) from 4 – 7:00 pm
Join the conversation by using #SonomaNats on social media
**Full results posted throughout the weekend at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery