FUNNY CAR
(James Drew photo)
Tim Wilkerson broke a three and half year winless streak and denied Ashley Force her first career Funny Car win in the process at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wilkerson, a Springfield-Ill.-based auto service shop owner, drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.962 at 292.58 to a win over Force, who turned in a 4.993 at 313.95 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.
(Ron Lewis photo)
“What a great day,” exclaimed a jubilant Wilkerson. “I don’t have words to express how I feel. I hope my top end interview wasn’t too corny, because I was feeling a little emotional. I am so pleased with my team, Jeff (Jacobs), Rich (Schendel), Jon (Gimmy), Brandon (Lavely), Nick (Shaff), Sammy (Mattox) and Mike (Mack) and I want to thank them for all their hard work. Most of my guys have never had a win, so this is special for all of us. I am so glad to win for Summit Racing, Mac Tools, Diversified Yacht Service and of course, Levi, Ray & Shoup. Dick Levi called to congratulate us and it feels good to make him proud.”
Wilkerson had the car to beat on Sunday. In the first-round of eliminations, Wilkerson took out Jim Head as he laid down the quickest run of the session, a 4.943, which was very impressive for the conditions. In the second round, he again posted the quickest time, as he took out the reigning champ, Tony Pedregon, with his 4.966. Then in the semifinal’s, Wilkerson triumphed over Ron Capps, but this time Wilkerson’s 5.179 wasn’t the quickest. So, for the first time of the day he lost lane choice to Ashley Force as they faced off in the final-round. But being in the tougher right lane didn’t stop Wilk. He was three hundredths better off the line and never looked back. Wilkerson took the car length win with a 4.962 against her 4.993.