NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After a strong stint in the Sportsman ranks that included winning Top Alcohol Funny Car at the 1994 Topeka event and two Division 3 championships in that category, Tim Wilkerson joined the nitro Funny Car class in 1996, debuting in Gainesville, and ever since, the independent campaigner has been a thorn in the side of the big-name, multicar teams. Doing things his own way, Wilkerson has tallied 19 victories in 35 final rounds and 11 top-10 finishes, including a high of second in 2008. Wilkerson, a steady three-second runner whose quickest time to date is a 3.921, is a fan favorite with a dedicated base of supporters known as Wilk’s Warriors.

Wilkerson appears to be on pace for another top-10 finish after a strong start to the season that included defeating John Force to win the Phoenix event. Following the Las Vegas event, where Wilkerson debuted a new Murf McKinney chassis that showed real potential, Wilkerson is in the No. 9 points position.