Tim Wilkerson Makes Final Round at the First Countdown to the Championship Race

Nitro Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson made it to the final round at the first race of the Countdown to the Championship Series, The Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car came through with a final round appearance and moved up to sixth in the Funny Car points standings.

In Round One of eliminations, Wilkerson’s 4.008 second/313.95 MPH pass defeated Terry Haddock’s 5.726/129.74. In Round Two, Wilk took the win with a 4.005/321.73 over John Force’s 4.093/317.49.

In the semifinals, Wilkerson defeated Robert Hight, who fouled out.

The final round was a rematch of the Sonoma final in 2017 against J.R. Todd. Although Wilk was on a roll, Todd won with a 3.972/319.90 pass to Wilkerson’s troubled 4.196/249.95.

“We put a couple holes [cylinders] out,” said Wilkerson. “But today was a good day. We’ve got a great team, and we’ve learned through the year. It takes a while to gel, but it’s all coming around.”

Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson qualified seventh for the weekend. In Round One of eliminations, Anderson took the win against Deric Kramer, 6.579/209.59 to 6.711/208.07.

In Round Two, Anderson defeated Jeg Coughlin Jr. on the holeshot with a .018 second reaction time and 6.595/209.49 pass to Coughlin’s .047 RT and 6.573/209.43.

In the semifinals, Anderson faced Vincent Nobile, but Nobile took the win light,

6.594/209.10 to 6.614/208.81.

“We found a way to get by two rounds and salvaged as many points as we possibly could,” said Anderson. “We kept the loss to a minimum and we have time to go fix it.”

Anderson is third in the Pro Stock points standings.

Jason Line qualified eighth, and ran a 6.569/209.98 pass in Round One to defeat Chris McGaha, who fouled out.

In Round Two, Line had the faster car against Tanner Gray, but Gray took the win on the holeshot with a .033 RT and 6.590/209.79 pass to Line’s .054 RT and 6.587/210.08.

“The good news is my car was better than it’s been all weekend,” said Line. “Next weekend we’re going to be working hard for a better outcome.”

Line moved up to seventh in the Pro Stock points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Steve Torrence (3.819/325.45) defeated Tony Schumacher (4.196/234.82)

Funny Car— J.R. Todd (3.972/319.90) defeated Tim Wilkerson (4.196/249.95)

Pro Stock—Vincent Nobile (6.586/208.42) defeated Drew Skillman (6.580/211.53)

Pro Stock Motorcycle—Hector Arana Jr. (6.842/197.74) defeated Matt Smith (7.306/145.88)

Pro Stock Low ET—Tanner Gray 6.542 seconds
Pro Stock Top Speed—Drew Skillman 211.53 MPH

What’s Next
The second of the NHRA’s 2018 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship is the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, September 21-23.

For more information and complete race results visit DragRaceCentral.com.