Big changes for Wilkerson will begin in Brainerd

Brainerd, prerace: Brainerd International Raceway is yet another scenic spot on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series tour. Nestled among the tall pine in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Brainerd has been a race track where Springfield, Ill. Funny Car favorite, Tim Wilkerson has been able to put his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the spotlight. In 2004, Wilkerson qualified No. 1, setting a track record and in 2003, he was runner-up. However, this year has not been he best for the talented tuner, driver, team owner, but he looks to change that this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Wilkerson has put together a different engine combination and brought out a new chassis, in hopes of finding the elusive power and consistency he has been known for in the past years.

"We went back to our old, old engine combination for the past 10 races and found that it didn't make any difference," explained Wilkerson, "so apparently our motor wasn't the problem. Sometimes it's just the car itself, so we brought out a new slip-tube chassis. The chassis we were running was getting old and it might not be right, so we decided to change it. At the same time, we've put together a different engine combination. It's completely different from anything we've ever run.

We know it's going to be slow going, but we decided to do everything we could to get the car turned around this year, and I'm optimistic about the changes we've made. We've done well in Brainerd in the past, and I'm anxious to get started on our turn around so I can't think of a better place."