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NORWALK, Saturday: Tim Wilkerson knew his beautiful Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala Funny Car was coming around and it is obvious this weekend at the Inaugural Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Wilkerson made two more strong qualifying runs today and stayed firmly planted in the No. 6 position.
Wilkerson was looking to run a 4.94 or 95 in the first qualifying session, but the engine dropped a cylinder so he only ran 5.017 at 291.45 mph. Then on his second pass, he ran what he was looking for earlier, 4.951 at 312.28 mph. And as the day came to a close, Wilkerson found himself still in the No. 6 qualifying position, getting to enjoy being in the top half of the field.
"We changed our clutch around a little today, " said Wilkerson, "and it was a little slower than we thought it would be. So, I haven't made up my mind if we'll run it that way tomorrow. It worked good, but it was just a little bit slow. We were trying to run a 4.94 or 95 on the first run, but it put a hole out. I think I have that fixed, so we just need to get it dialed in for tomorrow. I think it's going to take a 4.85 to 88 to win first-round. It's going to be tough."
It's been a while since Wilkerson has qualified in the top half of the field, which gives him lane choice over his first-round opponent, Jeff Arend. The two met in the second round last week in Englishtown, with Arend getting the win light. But the racing surface at the Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park seems to be equal in both lanes.
"I don't think lane choice matters," said Wilkerson. "The right lane is a little bumpier at the top end but that's all. I think it's going to be whoever hits it. Arend isn't a good draw, because those guys have a good car. But that's okay because we're due to beat them.
"We went down the track on all four runs and we're happy with that. We're learning how to go down the race track and that's going to win us some rounds during the year. Hopefully, it's tomorrow."
Wilkerson stays in the No. 6 spot
NORWALK, Saturday: Tim Wilkerson knew his beautiful Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala Funny Car was coming around and it is obvious this weekend at the Inaugural Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Wilkerson made two more strong qualifying runs today and stayed firmly planted in the No. 6 position.
Wilkerson was looking to run a 4.94 or 95 in the first qualifying session, but the engine dropped a cylinder so he only ran 5.017 at 291.45 mph. Then on his second pass, he ran what he was looking for earlier, 4.951 at 312.28 mph. And as the day came to a close, Wilkerson found himself still in the No. 6 qualifying position, getting to enjoy being in the top half of the field.
"We changed our clutch around a little today, " said Wilkerson, "and it was a little slower than we thought it would be. So, I haven't made up my mind if we'll run it that way tomorrow. It worked good, but it was just a little bit slow. We were trying to run a 4.94 or 95 on the first run, but it put a hole out. I think I have that fixed, so we just need to get it dialed in for tomorrow. I think it's going to take a 4.85 to 88 to win first-round. It's going to be tough."
It's been a while since Wilkerson has qualified in the top half of the field, which gives him lane choice over his first-round opponent, Jeff Arend. The two met in the second round last week in Englishtown, with Arend getting the win light. But the racing surface at the Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park seems to be equal in both lanes.
"I don't think lane choice matters," said Wilkerson. "The right lane is a little bumpier at the top end but that's all. I think it's going to be whoever hits it. Arend isn't a good draw, because those guys have a good car. But that's okay because we're due to beat them.
"We went down the track on all four runs and we're happy with that. We're learning how to go down the race track and that's going to win us some rounds during the year. Hopefully, it's tomorrow."
