Wilkerson takes the No. 1 spot with quickest pass of 2008

MADISON, Saturday: It may have been cold today at Gateway International Raceway but Springfield, Ill. Funny Car favorite, Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala SS were hot. Wilkerson took the No. 1 qualifying position at the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals today wowing a packed house of family, friends and LRS employees and guests. This was Wilkerson’s fourth No. 1 spot out of seven races in the 24 race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing series.

It was in the first session when Wilkerson went out and laid down a blistering 4.744 at 326.16 mph. This run put Wilkerson in the record books with the quickest Funny Car pass of the 2008 season. In the final round, Wilkerson needed to get down the more troublesome right lane. He was hoping to be able to get down the track with about a 4.82, and that is exactly what he posted. Wilkerson ran 4.826 at 310.98 mph.

“What a great day,” said Wilkerson. “The car did just what we wanted it to do, and that feels so good. And the guys and I are so happy to do it in front of all of our family and friends. And to have Dick Levi and all the great folks from LRS here to experience a No. 1 and share in our excitement, is like frosting on the cake.

“Last night when we only ran a 4.88, I told my wife, Krista that it was going to be a long night. I was tuning all night in my sleep. And I was so pleased when the car went out and made a great run in the first session. Then for the second run, we put a new blower on and I fattened it up a little. And it ran just what I expected. So, we’re happy with the car.”

Wilkerson will have lane choice over the No. 16 qualifier, Tony Bartone in the first-round tomorrow. The two have not met this year.

“Tomorrow we’re just going to go out there and run the race track and do the best we can and try and make everybody proud. We were able to make a good run in the right lane today, so it I think we should be in pretty good shape no matter what gets thrown at us tomorrow.”