Tim Wilkerson Racing Notes & Quotes - 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals - Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Pass, Phoenix
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Car No.: FC10
Current points position: 8
Event Notes:
- The 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will mark the 25th season as a nitro Funny Car driver for Tim Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
- Tim Wilkerson set his career best elapsed time in Phoenix in 2017 with a 3.844-second pass in the first round of eliminations
- Wilk won the race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in 2016
- Wilkerson is one of two Funny Car drivers currently campaigning the new Ford Mustang Funny Car body. He made the move to Ford Performance in 2009 and since that time has acquired 10 of 20 NHRA Wally trophies as a Ford ddriver. The only drivers to have more wins in a Ford Funny Car are John Force and Robert Hight.
- Team Summit driver Wilkerson, who is also the tuner and team owner of the LRS Ford Mustang Funny Car, is an independent driver. His was the only single-car team in the category to finish in the top 10 in each of the last two seasons
- 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 has not yet won in Pomona but has one runner-up there (1998 Winternationals to Ron Capps)
Wilkerson in Phoenix
1 win in 1 final round in Phoenix
Won 2016 (defeated John Force)
No. 1 in 2008
Last year at this event: Qualified No. 3; first round
Wilkerson's career stats following the 2020 Winternationals
(most recent event)
518 races
20 wins
24 runner-up finishes
44 final rounds
20 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career round wins (nitro Funny Car): 412
Career best e.t.: 3.844 (2017 Phoenix)
Career best speed: 333.74 (2016 Topeka)
Quote:
"Our LRS Mustang did exactly what it was supposed to do first round at the Winternationals, and the weather got away from us a little bit for round two and we rattled the tires – but our car showed us some pretty good signs there. I'm pretty optimistic going to this next race because I feel like if the sun keeps shining, things ought to be good there. We gotta learn how to run at that track, but we'll do it. We saw how things are starting to work already in Pomona, and that's a good little boost for us going into this second race of the year."
Tim Wilkerson on social media:
Facebook.com/timwilkersonracing; Instagram @timwilkersonracing; Twitter @TimWilkerson_FC
2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(after Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, race 1 of 24)
1. Jack Beckman, 126
2. John Force, 94
3. Matt Hagan, 86
4. Alexis DeJoria, 67
5. Robert Hight, 61
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 56
7. Ron Capps, 54
8. Tim Wilkerson, 52
9. Paul Lee, 34
10. J.R. Todd, 33
Race Info
36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Phoenix
February 21-23, 2020
Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, February 21
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
1:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
4:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
Saturday, February 22
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
1:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
4:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4
Sunday, February 23
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
9:45 a.m. – SealMaster Track Walk followed by Pre-Race Ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin
#NHRAonFOX Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Friday – 11 PM to Midnight ET / FS1
Sunday Show Part 1 / Sunday – 3-4 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 9 PM to midnight ET / FS1
#ArizonaNats #TeamSummit
**Full results at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery