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Brainerd, Minn. (8/12/06) -- The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway is looking to be the season's turning point for Tim Wilkerson, as he put his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the No. 15 qualifying position.
When the day's first qualifying session began, Wilkerson was sitting on the bump. By the time, he rolled up to the line to make his run; he was out of the show. But Wilkerson's 4.920 was good enough to put him back in the program. On his second pass, Wilkerson again ran a 4.92 but this time it was with a six.
"On our first pass it was just about what we though it would be," said a good spirited Wilkerson, "but it was just a little too slow. And it would have been a much better run on our second pass if it wouldn't have put a hole out. It was nice and fast early; in fact, it was plenty fast. We just need to figure out why it's putting a hole out, but we'll get it fixed.
"Outside of our cylinder problem, it is really showing a lot of promise. It is so smooth early in the run; it's unbelievable. I'm optimistic. We had to make some wholesale changes. The way the thing was working, it just wasn't going down a good path. It's looking like it's better now, and it's throwing us some bones. So, I'm feeling much better."
Wilkerson's first-round opponent, Tony Pedregon, will have lane choice when they meet tomorrow.
"We're just going to try and go down the track tomorrow," explained Wilkerson. We're not going to try to go 70-something to try to beat him. If we go 85 to 88, I'll be happy. That's all we're going to try to do. And the track is good. The right lane is a little worse, but not enough to make a difference. We lost to Tony earlier this year, so maybe tomorrow will be our turn to get the win light."
Wilkerson made it down the track on all four qualifying runs. Continuing this consistency may be just the ticket he needs to have the success he and his team have been working so hard this year to achieve.
Wilkerson takes the No. 15 spot in Brainerd
Brainerd, Minn. (8/12/06) -- The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway is looking to be the season's turning point for Tim Wilkerson, as he put his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the No. 15 qualifying position.
When the day's first qualifying session began, Wilkerson was sitting on the bump. By the time, he rolled up to the line to make his run; he was out of the show. But Wilkerson's 4.920 was good enough to put him back in the program. On his second pass, Wilkerson again ran a 4.92 but this time it was with a six.
"On our first pass it was just about what we though it would be," said a good spirited Wilkerson, "but it was just a little too slow. And it would have been a much better run on our second pass if it wouldn't have put a hole out. It was nice and fast early; in fact, it was plenty fast. We just need to figure out why it's putting a hole out, but we'll get it fixed.
"Outside of our cylinder problem, it is really showing a lot of promise. It is so smooth early in the run; it's unbelievable. I'm optimistic. We had to make some wholesale changes. The way the thing was working, it just wasn't going down a good path. It's looking like it's better now, and it's throwing us some bones. So, I'm feeling much better."
Wilkerson's first-round opponent, Tony Pedregon, will have lane choice when they meet tomorrow.
"We're just going to try and go down the track tomorrow," explained Wilkerson. We're not going to try to go 70-something to try to beat him. If we go 85 to 88, I'll be happy. That's all we're going to try to do. And the track is good. The right lane is a little worse, but not enough to make a difference. We lost to Tony earlier this year, so maybe tomorrow will be our turn to get the win light."
Wilkerson made it down the track on all four qualifying runs. Continuing this consistency may be just the ticket he needs to have the success he and his team have been working so hard this year to achieve.
