WILKERSON RACES TO SEMIFINALS AT MILE-HIGH NATIONALS (1 Viewer)

DENVER (July 18, 2021) --- Racing for his second NHRA Mile-High Nationals title this weekend had veteran driver Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Summit Racing Shelby Mustang focused on consistent performance on the mountainside at Bandimere Speedway. Through three rounds of qualifying Wilkerson guided his team to improved performance every session. The LRS Summit Racing Shelby Mustang Funny Car picked up four qualifying bonus points for making the third quickest run of the second session and the quickest run of the final qualifying run. For his efforts Wilkerson was rewarded with the No. 3 qualifier and first round match-up with veteran Jim Campbell.
In the first round Wilkerson and Campbell both executed burnouts but before Campbell could stage he was shut off affording Wilkerson a single run to advance to the quarterfinals. The LRS Summit Racing Mustang Funny Car took nothing for granted posting a strong 3.996 second run at 322.88 mph.

In round two Wilkerson drew another tough competitor facing Paul Lee. Once again Wilkerson was a winner before he moved off the starting line as Lee jumped the start earning a red-light and disqualification. Wilkerson made a good run in the heat of the day earning his second win light with a 4.252 second pass.
The semifinals had Wilkerson, the No. 3 qualifier, squaring off with No. 2 qualifier Alexis DeJoria. Both race cars had been consistently strong throughout the day. When the starting line tree activated both car jumped off the starting line but Wilkerson smoked the tires and was forced to watch as DeJoria pulled away for the win. It was a tough end to a promising day for the Springfield, Illinois, team owner, crew chief and driver.
“Racing up here on the mountain is always tough but I like the challenge,” said Wilkerson, who is one of the few NHRA competitors who tunes and drives at this level. “I have a lot of great partners on this race car most importantly Levi, Ray & Shoup and Summit Racing. We are giving it our best every weekend and we had a pretty good day today. I will be glad to get to sea level in Sonoma because I know this Mustang can run with anyone out here.”
The Levi, Ray & Shoup Summit Racing Funny Car will leave Denver solidly in the top ten with the Sonoma Nationals on the horizon next weekend followed by the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.

Qualifying Results
Q1: 5.678 sec, 155.49 mph; Qual. 6
Q2: 4.017 sec, 320.97 mph; Qual. 5
Q3: 3.984 sec, 315.05 mph; Qual. 3
Bonus Points: +4 (3rd quickest of Q2 and quickest of Q3)

Race Results
First RoundDriver Qual R/T ET MPH
Tim Wilkerson 3 .217 3.996 322.88 (W)
Jim Campbell 12 No Time
Second RoundDriver Qual R/T ET MPH
Tim Wilkerson 3 .101 4.252 230.45 (W)
Paul Lee 6 red-light start
SemifinalsDriver Qual R/T ET MPH
Tim Wilkerson 3 .108 8.009 118.91
Alexis DeJoria 2 .073 4.034 313.22 (W)

Camping World Funny Car Top Ten
1. Bob Tasca III, 643
2. John Force, 593
3. Matt Hagan, 558
4. J.R. Todd, 532
5. Ron Capps, 529
6. Robert Hight, 517
7. Alexis DeJoria, 498
8. Tim Wilkerson, 477
9. Cruz Pedregon, 450
10. Terry Haddock, 274