Tim Wilkerson came into Las Vegas with a brand new car that he qualified No. 4 in Nitro Funny Car with a 3.936 E.T. at 320.66 mph. This is this highest Wilkerson has qualified in 2016. Despite running very consistent during qualifying, Wilkerson went out in round one after losing traction. He ran a 4.567 E.T. at 209.10 mph and Jim Campbell beat him to the finish line with a 4.196 E.T. at 301.47 mph.

The new chassis Wilkerson is running was designed by renowned race car builder, Murf McKinney. Wilkerson tested the car for a day in Florida and the entire team has been working the last two weeks get the car ready for its debut in Las Vegas.

“The entire car has a whole new fuel and clutch system on it and I’m just not accustomed to slowing it down enough yet. This car has every drop of new technology out here in the computer box, so learning it is going to be a little bit of a transition,” explained Wilkerson. “My team did a great job this weekend with the new set-up and I’m optimistic going on to the next race in Charlotte.”

In the quarterfinals John Force had to race teammate and daughter Courtney Force and it was one of the closest races of the day. Both JFR drivers had excellent reaction times and the PEAK Chevy barely nosed out the Traxxas Chevy Funny Car at the finish line 3.991 to 3.996 seconds.