Tim Wilkerson Notes and Quotes - NHRA Dodge Nationals - The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2019
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Car No.: FC5
Current points position: No. 10
Event-Specific 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 NHRA Dodge Nationals will be the 516th race of Wilkerson's career as a nitro Funny Car driver. Only three other active Funny Car drivers have more: John Force, Cruz Pedregon, and Ron Capps.
Driver Notes:
- 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
- Wilk has finished in the top 10 in 14 of his 22 years as a nitro Funny Car driver, including in each of the most recent 11 years
- Wilkerson was in the final at Gainesville, Las Vegas, and Atlanta this year. He was the No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas.
- 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 Las Vegas
1 win in 1 Las Vegas final
Won LV1 2008 (defeated Ashley Force Hood)
Last year at this event: Qualified No. 8, first round
Wilkerson's career stats through 2019 NHRA FallNationals in Dallas
(most recent event)
515 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:
"Our Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang is good, so our focus is on getting a win. We've been looking at some different stuff to try, and we'll see how things are going, but we have such a good car. I feel good going into these last two races, and I like our chances. We've figured a few things out, so we'll see how it goes."
2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(after AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, NHRA Countdown to the Championship race 4 of 6)
1. Robert Hight, 2,437
2. Jack Beckman, 2,367
3. John Force, 2,363
4. Matt Hagan, 2,325
5. Bob Tasca III, 2,315
6. Ron Capps, 2,302
7. J.R. Todd, 2,274
8. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,243
9. Shawn Langdon, 2,239
10. Tim Wilkerson, 2,188
Race Info
NHRA Dodge Nationals
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 31-November 3, 2019
Run Schedule (all times local)
Thursday, October 31
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
Friday, November 1
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
12:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
3:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
After pro qualifying – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying continues
Saturday, November 2
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
12:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
3:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
After pro qualifying – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
Sunday, November 3
8:45 a.m. – Lucas Oil Sportsman eliminations continue
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin
#NHRAonFOX Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Friday – 7-8:30 PM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Sunday – 3-4 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 4-7 PM ET / FS1
#VegasNats #NHRACountdown
**Full results at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery