Tim Wilkerson Makes Final Round, Greg Anderson Earns 101st #1 Qualifier

Nitro Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson made his first final round appearance of the season at the NHRA New England Nationals. Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson earned the Number One Qualifier award for the eighth time this season. It was the 101st of his career.

Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car, has been striving for a win.  

In Round One of eliminations, Wilkerson faced J.R. Todd; Wilkerson took the win with a 4.091 second/313.29 MPH pass to Todd’s 4.132/306.19.

In Round Two, Wilk was paired against Jack Beckman. Wilkerson left the starting line .003 second ahead of his competitor. In what was the best side-by-side of the round, Wilkerson got the win on the holeshot with his 4.245/264.39 pass to Beckman’s 4.252/294.05.

In the semifinals, Wilkerson defeated Shawn Langdon, 4.118/309.94 to 4.144/305.42.

Wilkerson faced Number One qualifier, Matt Hagan in the finals. Wilkerson had a strong showing, but Hagan got to the finish line first with a 4.156/292.01 pass to Wilk’s 4.181/287.35.

“This was redemption,” said Wilkerson. “It was a good day. I’m happy for the guys. They did a spectacular job between rounds. I think what we did here today shows that we can run with with the big dogs. I’m excited for Denver.”

Greg Anderson qualified Number One with a 6.517/ 211.73 pass. He defeated Val Smeland in Round One of eliminations with a 6.544/212.19 pass—the fastest of the day—to Smeland’s 6.717/206.76.

In Round Two, Anderson had a strong 6.574/211.89 pass, but Chris McGaha had the better reaction time and took the win with a .025 second reaction time and 6.585/210.90 pass.

“We had a good car in the second round, but we didn’t win, and it hurts,” said Anderson. “We want that win. Today showed there’s no room for error. We’ll go on to Denver, with the promise that this team won’t rest. We’re going to get back to the winner’s circle.”

Anderson remains second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Jason Line won against Alex Laughlin in Round One of eliminations, 6.578/211.49 to 6.605/209.82.

Despite the hot track conditions that saw previous cars suffer tire chatter, in Round Two, Line had the right setup to get down the track. But his 6.600/210.11 pass wasn’t enough against Vincent Nobile’s 6.570/210.80.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Line, who is currently ninth in the Pro Stock points standings. “We want that win for Summit Racing and for all of our guys who work so hard. It will happen.”

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Steve Torrence (3.909/320.74) defeated Antron Brown (3.948/315.12)

Funny Car—Matt Hagan (4.156/292.01) defeated Tim Wilkerson (4.181/287.35)

Pro Stock—Chris McGaha (6.570/292.01) defeated Erica Enders (Foul, Red Light)

Pro Stock Low ET—Greg Anderson. 6.517 seconds

Pro Stock Top Speed—Tanner Gray 212.69 MPH

What’s next
The next event on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, July 20-22.

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