Tim Wilkerson Races to Semifinals at SpringNationals in Houston
HOUSTON, TX – Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Summit Racing Shelby Mustang battled the elements throughout the weekend at 
the NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park. The veteran driver and crew chief lost one third of his qualifying opportunities when the Friday session was cancelled due to excessive rain the week leading up to the event. On Saturday Wilkerson was fortunate that he was able to get two shots at the race track before more rain moved in and cut the second round of Funny Car qualifying short. The Levi, Ray & Shoup Summit Racing Mustang was able to improve their qualifying position with a strong 3.975 second pass at 319.07 mph run in the second session that put the team in the No. 7 position heading into race day.
When eliminations began under darkening skies only six pairs of Top Fuel dragsters were able to make runs before a persistent light rain blanketed the race track and put race day on hold for most of the day. Unfortunately, track officials were not able to get the track into race condition before cooling temperatures forced the postponement of eliminations to today. It was a long and frustrating wait for all the competitors and NHRA fans.
“It is tough to wait when all you want to do is get out there and race,” said Wilkerson, from his lounge on Sunday. “We made a good run on Saturday in that last session and I think we can definitely duplicate that kind of elapsed time and maybe step it up.”
This morning the track was dry and in the first round Wilkerson pulled up alongside up-and- coming driver Blake Alexander, the No. 10 qualifier in the Jim Head tuned Funny Car. When the Christmas Tree flashed amber both Wilkerson and Alexander left at the nearly the same time and it was the Levi, Ray & Shoup Summit Racing Funny Car getting to the stripe first. Both Funny Cars had traction issues with Wilkerson’s tune-up holding on long enough to give him the momentum to get the win.
In the second round Wilkerson drew No. 2 qualifier Alexis DeJoria with a berth in the semifinals on the line. It was another tough match-up for Wilkerson, the crew chief as well as Wilkerson the driver. It was also another round win with the veteran tuner stepping up with a 3.972 second pass that was straight down the middle of the track. It was his quickest pass of the weekend and set him up with a semifinal race against Ron Capps.
Once again the Levi, Ray & Shoup team was up to the task even with NHRA mandated accelerated turn-around times they posted another run in the 3.90s but it was not enough to get around Capps for a final round appearance.
“We got a couple round wins today and moved up a little in the points,” said Wilkerson. “The key for us is to keep creeping up on this tune up. Richard (Hartman) and my crew guys are doing a great job. I feel like there is more power in this Mustang and I just have to find it. We have some time before Epping and we’ll be ready for that race for sure.”
The success on race day left Wilkerson and his team sitting in the No. 7 spot in the Funny Car point standings. The class is very competitive and the LSR Summit Racing team is only two rounds out of fourth place after five races this season.
