Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals - The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
April 5-7, 2019
Posted by: Kelly Wade
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Car No.: FC5
Storylines and 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
- The DENSO NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will be the 497th race of Wilkerson's career as a nitro Funny Car driver. Race 500 will be the event in Atlanta next month.
- In regard to previous four-wide competition, Wilkerson won the 2016 four-wide race at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte
- Wilkerson, the driver, tuner, and team owner of the LRS Ford 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.
Quotes:
"Depending on how the lanes are, whether or not all four of them are equally as good, we could make a good show for the fans. We had a lot of people there at the four-wide race last year, and it's a blast getting to entertain a crowd like that."
"We had a good race in Gainesville a couple of weeks ago, the guys on our crew are getting used to going rounds, and I was pretty happy with my driving and all that. I repositioned myself in the car before that race, and I feel a little bit better sitting in it, so I'm optimistic. You don't really know how it's going to go, but like I said, if all four lanes are good, I think we'll have a good time."
"We won the four-wide race in Charlotte a few years back, and we were the fastest car every run. I think lane choice is what won that race for us, so there's a good chance it'll be the same deal this weekend in Vegas. We have the ability to be the fastest car every run with this Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang, so I'll shallow up every run and see if I can stay away from running Robert Hight this time around. He was a thorn in our side in Gainesville, and we don't want any more of that."
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. 10, first round
At the fall race here in 2018: Qualified No. 8, first round
Career Stats (through 2019 NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville)
No. 6 in nitro Funny Car standings
496 races
20 wins
23 runner-up finishes
43 nitro Funny Car final rounds
19 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Funny Car Standings
(after the NHRA Gatornationals, race 3 of 24)
1. Robert Hight (2), 330
2. Jack Beckman, 225
3. Matt Hagan, 215
4. John Force (1), 200
5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 191
6. Tim Wilkerson, 165
7. Bob Tasca III, 163
8. J.R. Todd, 159
9. Ron Capps, 146
10. Shawn Langdon, 143
Race Info
DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
April 5-7, 2019
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, April 5
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying
12:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
3:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, April 6
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
12:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
3:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, April 7
9:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations
11:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
Noon – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin, eliminations for all categories continue
#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Friday – 9:30 PM-11 PM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Sunday – 11:30-12:30 AM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 5:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1
Watch this video for more information regarding NHRA Four-Wide racing: http://bit.ly/2ViAh7n
*find detailed results throughout the weekend at dragracecentral.com*
Photo credit: Auto Imagery