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HOUSTON, Prerace: As a former Funny Car winner at Houston Raceway Park, Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup team always enjoy competing at the southern Texas facility, but this year they prepare for the 20th annual O’Reilly Spring Nationals by Pennzoil with mixed feelings. Certainly, Wilkerson and his team would like to repeat their 2004 performance, but a trip to the Houston Raceway Park winner's circle is not all that they are thinking about as they head into this race. The recent tragic accident that took the life of friend, Eric Medlen, weighs heavily on Wilkerson's mind, and worrying about performance loses its importance. But Wilkerson knows that Medlen was a fierce competitor, and wouldn't want him to change because of what happened.
Wilkerson showed strong performance right off the bat this season, but that came to an abrupt stop at the Gatornationals, with a dreaded DNQ.
"The thing really ran pretty good in Gainesville," said Wilkerson. "I can't say I'm frustrated with it because it's showing a lot of promise. We just didn't have enough to stay in the show. So, we need to get back into our groove, because DNQ's play havoc with our points.
"We've had good luck here in Houston in the past, so I'm feeling pretty confident that we'll be able to get back into good form this weekend."
Wilkerson and his talented team are hoping that their groove will take the Levi, Ray & Shoup Monte Carlo straight to a well-deserved win.
Wilkerson looking for the groove
HOUSTON, Prerace: As a former Funny Car winner at Houston Raceway Park, Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup team always enjoy competing at the southern Texas facility, but this year they prepare for the 20th annual O’Reilly Spring Nationals by Pennzoil with mixed feelings. Certainly, Wilkerson and his team would like to repeat their 2004 performance, but a trip to the Houston Raceway Park winner's circle is not all that they are thinking about as they head into this race. The recent tragic accident that took the life of friend, Eric Medlen, weighs heavily on Wilkerson's mind, and worrying about performance loses its importance. But Wilkerson knows that Medlen was a fierce competitor, and wouldn't want him to change because of what happened.
Wilkerson showed strong performance right off the bat this season, but that came to an abrupt stop at the Gatornationals, with a dreaded DNQ.
"The thing really ran pretty good in Gainesville," said Wilkerson. "I can't say I'm frustrated with it because it's showing a lot of promise. We just didn't have enough to stay in the show. So, we need to get back into our groove, because DNQ's play havoc with our points.
"We've had good luck here in Houston in the past, so I'm feeling pretty confident that we'll be able to get back into good form this weekend."
Wilkerson and his talented team are hoping that their groove will take the Levi, Ray & Shoup Monte Carlo straight to a well-deserved win.
