Wilkerson vs. Wilkerson Bristol Battle Ends with Son Defeating Father

Bristol, TN – The last time Chicago winner Tim Wilkerson competed at Bristol Dragway, he advanced to the final round before falling to event champ Ron Capps. Wilkerson was looking to repeat his 2022 performance with another trip to the finals on Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, but son Daniel had other plans, ending his father’s race day after the second round.

Wilkerson began eliminations from the No. 6 seed after a qualifying performance which saw him earn three bonus points for making the quickest run of the third session, in addition to the 4.004 E.T. he clocked during Friday’s ‘field setting’ night run. Aboard the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang, Wilkerson lined up next to fellow Illinois racer, Dale Creasy Jr. during the first round on Sunday morning. Wilkerson drove his 11,000-horsepower machine straight down the groove in 3.984 seconds for the win while Creasy puffed the tires in the opposite lane, setting up a ‘Wilkerson vs. Wilkerson’ showdown in the quarterfinals.

After a lengthy rain delay, Wilkerson staged next to Chad Green and his Daniel Wilkerson-tuned machine. Green was first on the throttle and never trailed as he crossed the finish line first in 3.970 seconds to advance, extending his round-win record to 4 – 3 over Wilkerson, who recorded a 3.968 E.T.

“I thought it would run a little bit better second round there,” said Wilkerson, a two-time finalist in 2023. “The track really tightened up. We tried hard to go faster than that, but that’s all she had. Chad’s guys did a great job, and I’m proud of ‘em.

“Would’ve loved to go more rounds today, but I’m pretty optimistic. We have a great SCAG/LRS car, it’s been getting down the track consistently, and being consistent like that is going to win us a lot of rounds. Upset we couldn’t have done better second round, but that’s all she had in her.”

Wilkerson and the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang Funny Car team leave Bristol Dragway ranked seventh in the NHRA Camping World Series Funny Car standings.

Qualified: No. 6 (4.004 E.T. at 318.99 MPH)

Elimination Round Results:
E1: 3.984 E.T. at 324.59 MPH defeated Dale Creasy Jr. 5.305 E.T. at 139.86 MPH
E2: 3.968 E.T. at 327.51 MPH defeated by Chad Green 3.970 E.T. at 326.79 MPH