Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Heartland Nationals Topeka
Posted by: Kelly Topolinski
Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson's first national event win came at Heartland Motorsports Park in 1994 in an alcohol Funny Car
- Wilkerson set a career best speed in a nitro Funny Car at this event in 2016: 333.74 mph
- 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
- The NHRA Heartland Nationals will be the 477th 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 Topeka
1 win in 3 Topeka final rounds, including sportsman competition
Runner-up 2008 (John Force)
Runner-up 2002 (Tony Pedregon)
Won TAFC (alcohol Funny Car) 1994 (beat Jackie Stidham)
In 2017: Qualified No. 15, lost in the first round to Courtney Force
Wilkerson's Career Stats through 2018 NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta
(most recent event)
476 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 Heartland Nationals
On earning his first national event win there (Top Alcohol Funny Car):
"I don't get wound-up about history, but I'm excited about winning as many races as I have as a single-car team. That's pretty important to me, and if I ever quit someday, I have all those Wallys [NHRA trophies]. That's pretty cool."
"We're excited to go back to Topeka It seems like we always run well there. Last year was the exception; we had a brand new clutch and our car really didn't like it. It hated it, actually. But now that clutch is worn in a little bit with 150 runs on it, and it acts normal. We'll see how the track and the weather are, whether the sun is shining on it or not, but we're excited. We'll have a pretty big contingent there in our hospitality area with our friends from Levi, Ray and Shoup, Curry Transportation Services, and AXE Equipment. It should be a lot of fun."
Race Info
30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties
Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka
May 18-20, 2018
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, May 18
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
3:00 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 1
3:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
6:00 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 2
6:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, May 19
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin with
Stock Eliminator round 1
1:00 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 3
1:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
4:00 p.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series qualifying session 4
4:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, May 20
9:30 a.m. – E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series eliminations round 1
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, May 18, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday May 20, FS1 will televise #NHRAToday beginning at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday May 20, FS1 will televise three hours of finals starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
Photo credit: Auto Imagery