Tim Wilkerson Racing News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2020) – Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang nitro Funny Car will launch into the 2020 season of NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series this weekend at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. The event at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona will mark the beginning of Wilkerson's 25th year as a nitro Funny Car driver. Below are notes, quotes, and stats pertaining to Wilkerson's career and the upcoming event.
Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Car No.: FC10
Current points position: TBD
Winternationals 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
- Wilkerson's LRS Ford Mustang will also carry the support of California Pest Management at the NHRA Winternationals. For more information: calibugman.com
- During the off-season, Wilkerson was announced as one of the Top 10 NHRA Funny Car Drivers of the Decade by acclaimed newsource Autoweek
- 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 Pomona
1 Pomona final
Runner-up PC1 1998 (Ron Capps)
No. 1 at PC1 in 2003, 2008
Last year at this event: Qualified No. 14; first round
At PC2 in 2019: Qualified No. 3; first round
Wilkerson's career stats entering the 2020 Winternationals in Pomona
517 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)
Quote:
"We had the opportunity to go testing last week in Vegas, and that gave us the chance to work through a lot of new parts and figure things out. We've been kind of stagnant lately, so this year I'm looking forward to getting the crown for once instead of getting beat in the finals. That's my biggest goal. This drought has gone on too long – I feel like an Oklahoma farmer in the 1930s. We have a brand, spanking new car from Murf McKinney and another new Ford body now, so we're really prepared. The challenge will be staying consistent. I have a good group, and everybody is focused. That really showed at the test in Vegas. We've got a few new guys so we're a little slow yet, but that'll come around. They're doing really well. I'm looking forward to this year and just so proud to have all my sponsors back – including Dick Levi and Levi, Ray & Shoup; Summit Racing; and Curry's Transportation Services. It means a lot to us to have the support of Ford Performance again this year, and hopefully we can put a smile on all their faces on a bunch of Sundays."
2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(final points)
1. Robert Hight, 2,637
2. Jack Beckman, 2,629
3. Matt Hagan, 2,563
4. John Force, 2,471
5. Bob Tasca III, 2,446
6. Ron Capps, 2,414
7. J.R. Todd, 2,391
8. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,360
9. Shawn Langdon, 2,358
10. Tim Wilkerson, 2,283
Race Info
Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
February 6-9, 2020
Run Schedule (all times local)
Thursday, February 6
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
Friday, February 7
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
12:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
2:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2
After Pro qualifying – Lucas Oil Series Top Alcohol qualifying concludes
Saturday, February 8
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations continue
1:00 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 Top Alcohol eliminations continue
Sunday, February 9
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 – 6-7:30 PM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Saturday – 7-8 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 5-8 PM ET / FS1
#Winternats #TeamSummit
**Full results at DragRaceCentral.com**
Photo credit: Auto Imagery