A consistent Wilkerson takes the No. 4 spot

READING, Saturday: Funny Car points leader, Tim Wilkerson showed the Maple Grove Raceway crowd why he’s No. 1 today at the Toyo Tires Nationals. His Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS was the strongest, most consistent Funny Car in qualifying. Wilkerson followed up yesterday’s two good runs with two more today showing that the talented Wilkerson and his team deserve all the respect and admiration that comes with their top position.

In the first qualifying session today, Wilkerson made the second quickest run of the session, a 4.162 at 292.27 mph. And then as the day got hotter, Wilkerson saved his best for last. He made his best run of qualifying, 4.137 at 300.13 mph which not only was the quickest of the session but was good enough to move him up to the No. 4 qualifying position.

Sitting fourth gives Wilkerson lane choice against Jack Beckman in the first-round of eliminations tomorrow. Wilk lost to Beckman on a hole shot in the semifinals last week in Brainerd, so he’s focused on not letting that happen again.

“We made two more good runs today,” said Wilkerson, “and they were decent for the heat, there’s no doubt about that. It was second low E.T. of the first session and low E.T. of the second. And it bumped us up to fourth and that’s good. So, we’ll see how it goes tomorrow. We’ve got Beckman and he kind of ate our lunch last week so hopefully we can get by that guy and go from there and see how the world works tomorrow.

“We’re pleased with how the car performed today; they were good runs in the heat, nice and consistent. Hey, it’s a good car. It didn’t slow us down, it’s made us better. So, we’re going to be a good car in the heat. And it looks like we’re going to stay No. 1 in points going into to Indy. After that we just need to be good and keep our car good. I’ve got a good group of guys so I think you’re going to see us do good.”