Jump to content

Tim Wilkerson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by GoingBatty (talk | contribs) at 02:26, 19 August 2016 (top: fixed link & typos). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Tim Wilkerson
Tim Wilkerson's 2008 Levi, Ray, & Shoup Chevrolet Impala body
NationalityAmerican United States
Born (1960-12-29) December 29, 1960 (age 63)
Springfield, Illinois, United States
National Hot Rod Association career
Debut season1996
Current teamLevi, Ray, & Shoup/Wilkerson Racing
Car numberFC347
Wins15 (14 FC, 1 TAFC)
Fastest laps3.869 seconds in Topeka, Kansas - May 22, 2016
333.47 mph in Topeka, Kansas - May 22, 2016
Best finish2nd in 2008
Previous series
1990 - 1995NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car
Championship titles
1994, 1995NHRA Division III Alcohol Funny Car

Tim Wilkerson (born December 29, 1960 in Springfield, Illinois) is a NHRA drag racer. He graduated from Southeast High School in Springfield, Illinois and earned an Associate's in Science in civil engineering from Lincoln Land Community College. He is married to Krista and has three children, Daniel (2007 NHRA Division 3 Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion), Kevin, and Rachel. He owns Wilkerson's Service Center and Capital City Machine Shop in Springfield.

Early career

Tim Wilkerson raced an alcohol funny car from 1990-1995. He won back to back NHRA Division 3 Top Alcohol Funny Car Championships in 1994 and 1995.

Nitro Funny Car

He began his national Nitro Funny Car career in 1996. He was the first funny car rookie to run over 300 mph and the first funny car rookie in the 4s. He went to his first Nitro Funny Car final at the NHRA US Nationals in 1997. He finished 7th in points in 1998. Wilkerson won his first race in Joliet, Illinois in 1999. On September 7, 2003 he won the famed US Nationals. He also won in Reading, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2003. In 2004 he won two races one in Houston, Texas and one in Sonoma, California. In 2006 he ran his career best speed of 330.47 mph. He ran his career best elapsed time of 4.723 in 2007 and he finished 15th in the season points.

In 2008 he won six races: Las Vegas, Nevada; Madison, Illinois; Englishtown, New Jersey; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee. He led the NHRA Nitro Funny Car points standings until the 15th event late in the season.[1] He led the Countdown to the Championship and started at the top of the season-ending championship.[1] He went to the final points event second in points and lost the championship to Cruz Pedregon.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wilber, Bob (November 25, 2008). "Wilkerson looks back with no regrets, looks forward with confidence". NHRA. Retrieved 2008-11-27. [dead link]