FUNNY CAR’S TIM WILKERSON READY TO END STREAK WITH VICTORY AT O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS AT ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY

BAYTOWN, Texas — Tim Wilkerson knew about the streak at the most recent NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, just like he did last year at Royal Purple Raceway when he advanced to the final round. But with a 60-race winless streak dating back to Seattle in 2011, Wilkerson is eager to put the drought to rest.

The driver of the 8,000-horsepower Levi Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang gets his next opportunity to end the streak at the 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 25-27, at Royal Purple Raceway.

Wilkerson is well-aware of the near misses, close defeats, bad luck and whatever else that has kept him out of the winner’s circle for far too long, but he remains confident that the next victory, which would be the 18th in his successful career, is coming soon.

“I absolutely feel like we have a lot of momentum going and I’ve felt it building for a couple of races now,” said Wilkerson, who advanced to the final foursome at the recent Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. “In Charlotte, I felt pretty good going in and basically the car did everything it was supposed to do until we hopped it up for the final round. We felt we had to roll the dice and run our best number of the weekend. Instead, we were the ones who messed up. Other than that, we have a good car and the team is clicking.”

Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event at one of the circuit’s quickest and fastest tracks. The event, the sixth of 24 during the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, will once again be televised on ESPN2.

In all, Wilkerson has four final round appearances since his last victory, but just making it to finals last year in Houston was an adventure. With ESPN2 broadcasting live during the semifinals and finals, teams worked through tighter turnaround times. That presented a strong challenge to Wilkerson, who qualified second, and his young team, but with a little assistance they came through in that regard.

The only down note was falling to Pedregon in the finals as the two-time world champion won for the third time in Houston.

“As soon as I heard about (the tighter turnaround times) I said ‘Well, I guess that guarantees that we’ll be in the final’ because our young crew was still really inexperienced at the time and I didn’t think there was any way we could make it,” Wilkerson said. “Sure enough, we really ran great there and went right to the final. Fortunately, the entire (Funny Car driver Bob) Tasca team was waiting for us in our pit when we got back after winning our semifinal, and without them I’m not sure we could’ve done it. I wanted to win that one so bad for my guys, who really worked their butts off all weekend and all day on Sunday. I wish it would’ve worked out.”

That’s been a sentiment Wilkerson has felt far too often since winning in Seattle in 2011, but he remains as dangerous as anyone in the ultra-competitive class. After advancing to the final foursome at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Wilkerson jumped to eighth in points and he has been a top-10 finisher in Funny Car for the past six seasons. Wilkerson has also been successful in Houston, winning the event in 2004.

“I’m not sure why we run well there, because it’s a really unique place,” Wilkerson said. “You’re at sea level, so there’s a ton of air, but you’re also right off the Gulf of Mexico, so the humidity is through the roof usually. It’s normally pretty hot and we always run well on hot tracks, so maybe it’s the combination of the air being tricky and the sun baking the track and we just find a way to handle it.”

Handling the impressive number of championship contenders in Funny Car is just as difficult. Points leader Robert Hight is red-hot after picking up his second win and fourth final round appearance of the season in Charlotte, while teammate and 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force’s seven wins in Houston are the most for any driver.

Other favorites include Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Tony Pedregon, Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr., but Wilkerson is as focused as ever to return to the win column.

“We haven’t won a race since 2011, but we’ve been in a bunch of final rounds and we’ve lost too many of them by being safe by just trying to get down the track,” Wilkerson said. “It stinks to have the chance and not seal the deal, but I’m really proud of my guys and we took some huge strides (in Charlotte). We’re better than we were at the last race, and we feel like we’ve got a shot to win any weekend now.”

In Top Fuel, Vandergriff will face heavy challenges from a loaded Top Fuel field in his quest to repeat. The points leader is Doug Kalitta, who has one win and three final round appearances in 2014, but Antron Brown, the 2012 world champ and 2008 event winner, won in Charlotte and has two wins this season. Other marquee contenders include Tony Schumacher, who has two wins in Houston, reigning champ Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, Spencer Massey, 2014 rookie Richie Crampton and Winternationals winner Khalid alBalooshi.

In Pro Stock, defending event winner Line won the season-opening race in Pomona but is currently trying to track down points leader and Houston native Erica Enders-Stevens. Reigning champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. has four wins at Royal Purple Raceway while teammate Allen Johnson is expected to be among the title challengers in Houston along with the likes of two-time event winner Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha, Dave Connolly, Shane Gray, Jimmy Alund, who picked up his first career victory in Charlotte, and V Gaines.

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its second stop of the 2014 season at Royal Purple Raceway. Mike Castellana stormed to victory at the season-opener in Gainesville, defeating defending champion Rickie Smith in the final round. Defending event winner Clint Satterfield and 2012 champ Troy Coughlin will also be among those gunning for victory in the thrilling 250 mph doorslammer category.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, April 25, with sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 26, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 28. Pro Mod qualifying is set for Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 9:45 a.m.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.royalpurpleraceway.com or call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets for children 13 and younger are free in reserved sections on spectator side with paid adult tickets. For more information about NHRA, log on to www.NHRA.com.

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O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS presented by Super Start Batteries FACT SHEET

WHAT: 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 25-27

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, April 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 6 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 2 and 4:30 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:30 and 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 27 – PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations at 9:45 a.m.

Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 26, ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, April 27, ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE: (Digital HD feed)

Friday, April 25, 10 – 10:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C

Saturday, April 26, 8:30 – 9 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C

Sunday, April 27, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C

(4140 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2013 EVENT WINNERS: Bob Vandergriff, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock

MOST VICTORIES: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.772 seconds by Larry Dixon, April ’10; 327.74 mph by Morgan Lucas, April ’12.

Funny Car – 4.021 seconds by John Force, April ’10; 316.08 mph by Force, April ’10.

Pro Stock – 6.539 seconds by Mike Edwards, April ’10; 212.66 mph by Edwards, April ’13.

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.

Funny Car – 3.965 sec. by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.; 324.12 mph by J. Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.471 sec. by Mike Edwards, April ‘13, Charlotte, N.C.; 214.69 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, March ’14, Gainesville, Fla.

TICKETS: For tickets call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223) or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 485; 2. Antron Brown, 460; 3. Steve Torrence, 347; 4. Shawn Langdon, 330; 5. Tony Schumacher, 316; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 290; 7. Spencer Massey, 288; 8. Brittany Force, 246; 9. Richie Crampton, 189; 10. J.R. Todd, 183.

Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 488; 2. John Force, 453; 3. Alexis DeJoria, 375; 4. Ron Capps, 282; 5. Del Worsham, 277; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 264; 7. Matt Hagan, 257; 8. (tie) Courtney Force, 244; Tim Wilkerson, 244; 10. Jack Beckman, 234.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 426; 2. Jason Line, 384; 3. Allen Johnson, 370; 4. Vincent Nobile, 339; 5. Shane Gray, 334; 6. (tie) Dave Connolly, 308; V. Gaines, 308; 8. Jimmy Alund, 282; 9. Jeg Coughlin, 270; 10. Chris McGaha, 258.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 180; 2. Scotty Pollacheck, 169; 3. John Hall, 152; 4. Eddie Krawiec, 151; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 145; 6. Steve Johnson, 124; 7. Michael Ray, 107; 8. Matt Smith, 97; 9. (tie) Hector Arana, 83; Chaz Kennedy, 83.