Tim Wilkerson Racing Notes and Quotes - Midwest Nationals - St. Louis, MO
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang
Car No.: FC8
Current points position: No. 6
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car crew have one previous St. Louis nitro Funny Car win (2008 over Mike Neff). Wilkerson was also runner-up in 2005 to Ron Capps.
- Gateway Motorsports Park is home for Wilkerson. The Levi, Ray & Shoup team is based in Springfield, Illinois, just 93 miles from the racetrack.
- Wilkerson enters the event, the second in NHRA's 2018 Countdown to the Championship playoffs, in the No. 6 position following a final round in Reading last weekend.
- 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 Midwest Nationals will be the 489th 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 St. Louis
1 win in 2 final rounds
Won 2008 (defeated Mike Neff)
Runner-up 2005 (Ron Capps)
No. 1 in 1998, 2008
Last year: Qualified No. 12, first round
Wilkerson's career stats through 2018 Dodge NHRA Nationals in Reading
(most recent event)
488 races
20 wins
21 runner-up finishes
41 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 Midwest Nationals
"Last weekend was a lot of fun, getting to the final round. It was a good way to start the Countdown, and now we're coming home this weekend, racing in St. Louis. This one is so close for us, and there's a little bit of momentum for us coming into this race. We like that. We're going to have a clutch-pack change there, and that may throw me a little bit of a sidewinder, but I'm hoping not. Hopefully, we can figure out how to make it go so we can keep ruffling their feathers. We had a lot of work ahead of us when we left Reading with a motor to service, four sets of cylinder heads, two sets of blowers, and only two days at home. This is testing our resilience, but everyone on this team has the right attitude, and that can make all the difference. Mr. Levi and his pals are all going to be in our hospitality tent this weekend, and that always gives us a little extra boost. We're hoping for a good weekend and another long Sunday. Sure be cool to do that in Levi, Ray & Shoup territory."
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Funny Car Standings
(after Dodge NHRA Nationals, Countdown to the Championship race 1 of 6)
1. JR Todd, 2166
2. Robert Hight, 2143
3. Courtney Force, 2141
4. Ron Capps, 2137
5. Matt Hagan, 2112
6. Tim Wilkerson, 2101
7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2090
8. Jack Beckman, 2080
9. John Force, 2064
10. Shawn Langdon, 2054
Race Info
Seventh annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals
Gateway Motorsports Park
Madison, Ill.
September 21-23, 2018
Run Schedule (all times ET)
Friday, September 21
8:00am – Sportsman eliminations
4:00pm – Pro qualifying session 1
6:15pm – Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, September 22
8:00am – Sportsman eliminations
2:15pm – Pro qualifying session 3
5:00pm – Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, September 23
11am – Eliminations
Television Schedule
Qualifying / Friday – 7 PM-9 PM ET | FS1
Qualifying / Sunday – 8 AM-9 AM ET | FS1
Finals / Sunday – 2 PM-5 PM ET | FS1
Join the conversation by using #MidwestNats on social media
**Full results posted throughout the weekend at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery