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Drag Racing Story of the Day!

Wilkerson Posts Career-Bests
to Lead Funny Car Qualifying
at K&N Filters Winternationals

By NHRA Communications

POMONA, Calif. -- Tim Wilkerson clocked a career-best performance Thursday to be the surprise qualifying leader in Funny Car at the K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Larry Dixon and Troy Coughlin also were leaders in their respective pro categories at the $2 million race, the first of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. 

Wilkerson drove his Levi, Ray and Shoup Pontiac Firebird to a 4.759-second time at 318.32 mph, just a tick off the track record pace of 4.736 seconds, set by Whit Bazemore in 2001. 

"We were looking for a low 4.80 and honestly didn't think it would run that quick," said Wilkerson, who has competed on a limited schedule the past few season but is running the full schedule in 2003. 

"It's surprising, but not that much," he continued. "I buy all the parts on my car from (John) Force, so we have some pretty good stuff. I told our sponsor Dick Levi that we wanted to step up and run the full season and see what we can do. I'm serious about this year. I don't think anybody out here takes us lightly. I just hope this isn't premature. I hate to talk this big after the first run of the first race of the season. I don't think the car will go much faster. If conditions are perfect, it may go a little quicker. Our goal this season is to make every round, not just one big splash." 

Gary Densham was second with a 4.826 at 313.88 in his Auto Club Ford Mustang. Defending series champion John Force was seventh, clocking a 4.916 at 304.19 in his Castrol GTX Mustang.

It was business as usual for defending Top Fuel champion Dixon, who opened the season atop the qualifying order, posting a 4.586 at 313.88 in his Miller Lite dragster. 

"Our time won't stand as the best for the weekend," Dixon predicted. "Right now we are just keeping up with the Jones'. There were plenty of cars right there with us, we just happened to be at the top after one round of qualifying."

Dixon, the defending winner of this race, won nine times in a record 14 final rounds in 2002 en route to his first series championship. 

"It was very important for us to come out today and make a good run," Dixon said. "I really can't tell you how important. With the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday, we only have two runs to gear up for that and Sunday's race. We wanted to get from point A to point B, get qualified and get our race day setup going for Sunday." 

Tony Schumacher, who has been tabbed by many as a serious threat to Dixon's crown, was second in the U.S. Army dragster, covering the distance in 4.593 at 315.19. Darrell Russell was third, recording a 4.604 at 311.92 in his Bilstein Engine Flush dragster.

Coughlin, older brother of defending champ Jeg Coughlin, drove his Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier to a leading time of 6.809 with a speed of 202.42 in Pro Stock. Mark Pawuk, aided by crew chief Bob Glidden, drove his Summit Pontiac Grand Am to a time of 6.818 at 201.82 to anchor the second position in the 16-car order. Mark Whisnant, also with a pair of new tuners, was third in a Cavalier, running 6.839 at 201.34.

Qualifying continues Friday at 2:30 p.m. 

POMONA, Calif. -- Thursday's qualifying results for the 43rd annual K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway, first of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Friday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 4.586 seconds, 313.88 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 4.593, 315.19; 3. Darrell Russell, 4.604, 311.92; 4. Doug Herbert, 4.651, 309.77; 5. Robert Reehl, 4.744, 309.13; 6. Mike Strasburg, 4.755, 293.66; 7. Clay Millican, 4.760, 284.03; 8. Cory McClenathan, 4.864, 300.53; 9. Doug Kalitta, 5.052, 251.30; 10. David Baca, 5.084, 210.34; 11. Steven Chrisman, 5.386, 267.85; 12. Brandon Bernstein, 5.673, 155.04; 13. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 6.492, 206.01; 14. John Smith, 6.549, 136.76; 15. Jim Head, 8.999, 81.53; 16. Scott Weis, 9.765, 81.87. 

Funny Car -- 1. Tim Wilkerson, Pontiac Firebird, 4.759, 318.32; 2. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.826, 313.88; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 4.859, 304.32; 4. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 4.883, 309.84; 5. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.884, 311.56; 6. Bruce Sarver, Toyota Celica, 4.884, 265.38; 7. John Force, Mustang, 4.916, 304.19; 8. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.918, 318.17; 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Chevy Camaro, 4.919, 308.43; 10. Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 4.929, 313.07; 11. Bob Bode, Firebird, 5.148, 222.62; 12. Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.473, 245.45; 13. Johnny Gray, Firebird, 5.685, 173.12; 14. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 6.768, 292.52; 15. Louis Sweet, Camaro, 9.194, 83.52; 16. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 9.656, 86.35. 

Pro Stock -- 1. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.809, 202.42; 2. Mark Pawuk, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.818, 201.82; 3. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.839, 201.34; 4. Tom Martino, Grand Am, 6.845, 201.46; 5. Greg Stanfield, Dodge Neon R/T, 6.859, 202.30; 6. Scott Geoffrion, Ford Mustang, 6.861, 201.01; 7. Arturo Delgado, Grand Am, 6.865, 199.23; 8. Tom Hammonds, Cavalier, 6.868, 201.37; 9. Bo Nickens, Neon R/T, 6.868, 199.73; 10. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.868, 192.03; 11. Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.869, 201.28; 12. Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.871, 201.76; 13. Brad Jeter, Neon, 6.872, 202.15; 14. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.877, 200.68; 15. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.881, 201.64; 16. Mike Edwards, Cavalier, 6.885, 200.65. 

NHRA Communications

 




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