Championship Drag Racing

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Brainerd, Minn.
(August 7-10)

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Driver Profile

Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Mustang

Brainerd, pre-race: This weekend’s stop on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series tour is the 28^th running of the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.  Nestled among tall pine trees in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes area, it’s a fisherman’s paradise, and Funny Car points leader, Tim Wilkerson loves to fish.  However this weekend the Springfield, Ill. native will not be angling for walleye or northern pike.  Instead, Wilkerson will be focused on catching his fifth win of the season in his beautiful Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS.

Wilkerson had been a little troubled by his hot rod’s recent performance.  Since bringing out the mandatory new chassis, he feels the car has slowed down.  So, he has spent the last few races getting his elapsed time back to where it makes him happy.

“We saw our car slow down after we brought out the new chassis,” explained Wilkerson.  “So we tried some new things in Sonoma and were happy with the outcome.  We had one of the quickest cars on Sunday and that’s always good.

“Then we did a little testing at the Night Under Fire match race in Norwalk this past weekend to try and find a little more E.T. and I think we’re on the right track.

On the last run of the night, it was on a really good pass, but I hit a bump so I pulled my foot. By my data the car was on a 4.11 run so I’m feeling pretty confident that we’re getting the car into top shape.

“The track can be a little tricky in Brainerd, but we usually do okay there.  So with what we’ve learned the past few weeks I think we’ve got our car ready to do some good.”

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