Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Mile-High Nationals - Bandimere Speedway, Denver - July 19-21, 2019
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Car No.: FC5
Current points position: No. 9
Event-Specific Notes:
- Tim Wilkerson returned to the seat of his 2019 Ford Mustang two weeks ago in Epping. Just one race after its debut in Richmond, the Levi, Ray & Shoup 40th anniversary Ford Mustang nitro Funny Car body was damaged in an otherwise-uneventful incident in which Wilkerson came into contact with the wall at the Route 66 Nationals.
- Back in his new Ford Mustang, a proven, well-engineered piece, Wilkerson raced all the way to the semifinals after back-to-back first-round exits
Driver Notes:
- Wilkerson was in the final at Gainesville, Las Vegas, and Atlanta this year. He was the No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas.
- Team Summit driver Wilkerson, the driver, tuner, and team owner of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang Funny Car, is an independent driver and the only single-car team in the category to finish in the top 10 in 2018
- The early portion of Wilkerson's career included a successful run as a Top Alcohol Funny Car driver. He earned eight division trophies, one national event win, and was the Division 3 Top Alcohol Funny Car champ in both 1994 and 1995 in the Lucas Oil Series before stepping up to the Pro ranks in Gainesville in 1996.
Wilkerson in Denver
1 win in 1 final round
Won 2008 (defeated Jack Beckman)
No. 1 qualifier in 1999, 2003
Last year: Qualified No. 9; second round
Wilkerson's career stats through 2019 NHRA New England Nationals in Epping
(most recent event)
506 races
20 wins
24 runner-up finishes
44 final rounds
20 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
Quotes:
"I like Denver. Usually, we have something for them up there. I'm still getting used to my new Ford Mustang, so I'm not sure how she's going to treat me there, but I'm following Bob Tasca's lead on where to put the spoilers and all that, and that's really been helping me."
"We had some time to get all our junk in a pile after Epping and make sure everything was working properly. The engine worked pretty well all weekend, it looked nice and wasn't all tore up, so that part of the recipe is really working well."
"Denver is Dick Levi Country, and I'm excited about seeing him and all his family at the race. It should be a lot of fun."
2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(after NHRA New England Nationals, race 13 of 24)
1. Robert Hight (4), 1079
2. John Force, 903
3. Tommy Johnson Jr. (1), 891
4. Ron Capps (2), 870
5. Jack Beckman, 851
6. J.R. Todd (1), 825
7t. Bob Tasca III (2), 770
7t. Matt Hagan (2), 770
9. Tim Wilkerson, 691
10. Shawn Langdon (1), 675
Race Info
40th annual NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Bandimere Speedway
Denver, Colorado
July 19-21, 2019
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, July 19
10:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying begins
4:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
7:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, July 20
11:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
4:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
7:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, July 21
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin, eliminations for all categories continue
#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Friday – 7-8:30 PM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Sunday – 1-2 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 3-6 PM ET / FOX
Join the conversation: #MileHighNats
**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery
