Backstretch Motorsports

Springfield, IL — Tim Wilkerson is in the midst of a dream season. By anybody’s standards. The fact that his is a one car team winning against the likes of John Force Racing, Don Schumacher Racing and the unlimited budgets of those giants is downright inspirational.

The Levi, Ray and Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS driver is leading the NHRA Funny Car points with 4 event wins and round by round, leading the way for the independents of the sport. And as an independent driver/owner/crew chief that means giving a fit to the large, well-funded multi-car teams is pretty enjoyable.

[read more…]

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. – Five-time POWERade Series world champion Tony Schumacher raced to his first win at Englishtown in 12 years of competition at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.

The event was overshadowed by the loss of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, who died from multiple injuries suffered after his car went out of control in the fourth round of qualifying Saturday.

[read more…]

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Melanie Troxel became the first woman in NHRA history to win in both Top Fuel and Funny Car when she raced to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Tony Schumacher and Dave Connolly also won in their respective categories at Bristol Dragway in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event.

Troxel, who earned five Top Fuel victories prior to switching to Funny Car this season, joined her husband Tommy Johnson as one of 14 drivers in NHRA history to earn victories in both nitro categories when she powered her ProCare Rx Dodge Charger to a 5.066 at 310.27 to defeat rookie Mike Neff in the final round. She is the second female to win in Funny Car in NHRA history, following Ashley Force’s gender-breaking victory last month in Atlanta.

[read more…]

WILKERSON, FULLER, K. JOHNSON AND HINES WIN; FORCE EARNS 1,000TH ROUND WIN

MADISON, Ill. - Tim Wilkerson denied John Force Racing’s Mike Neff his first career win on the same day Neff’s boss made history at the 12th annual O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol.

Rod Fuller, Kurt Johnson and Andrew Hines also were winners in their respective categories Sunday at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

Wilkerson earned his first win at his hometown track, his second of the season and seventh of his career when he drove his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.874-second finish at 317.27 mph to Neff’s 4.886 at 321.58 in his Old Spice Ford Mustang.

[read more…]

INDEPENDENT TEAMS FARE WELL IN OPENING EVENTS AS POWERade SERIES MOVES ON TO ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS – Some teams don’t know they’re hot.

When Alan Bradshaw (above) qualified No. 1 in Gainesville, his crew didn’t believe it. It took a visit from an NHRA official, a trip to the media center for Bradshaw and a run sheet before they finally did – and then the Vegas Fuel Top Fuel dragster team followed it up with another No. 1, in Houston, proving they weren’t just lucky.

The 2008 season has been good to the one-car teams.

[read more…]

Andrew Hines

COMMERCE, Ga. – The No. 1 provisional qualifiers from Friday in all four categories held on to those top spots as qualifying wrapped up Saturday for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Tim Wilkerson’s run of 4.774-second pass at 325.92 mph in his Levy Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS from the previous day was enough to keep him in the top spot in Funny Car. It is Wilkerson’s third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 13th of his career.

“It’s a good feeling to be first, no doubt about that,” said Wilkerson. “Hopefully we can win some rounds tomorrow. It would sure be special going in to St. Louis leading the points, especially for the people at Levy Ray & Shoup.”

[read more…]

Wilkerson blasts his way to the top spot

ATLANTA, Friday: At the close of the first day of qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, Tim Wilkerson blasted his way to the top, putting his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS in the No. 1 qualifying position.

During the winter months the entire quarter-mile length of the Atlanta Dragway surface was replaced. So, as the day began, the tuners and drivers didn’t know what to expect of the racing surface. But Wilkerson didn’t let the unknown deter him. In the opening round of qualifying, Wilkerson dropped a cylinder and ran 4.950 at 301.60 mph, and ended in the fourth spot. Then as the air became cool and skies overcast, Wilkerson made a monster leap to the top, posting an impressive 4.774 at 325.92 mph.

[read more…]

COMMERCE, Ga. – Cory McClenathan piloted his FRAM dragster to a 4.562 at 327.03 provisional low qualifying effort for what may be his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 31st of his career and third at Atlanta Dragway.

“I think coming in here we knew the track was going to be a little on the green side,” said McClenathan. “They re-did the surface and did a good job with that. NHRA came in and did their stuff and it was great.”

Tim Wilkerson looked to continue his qualifying domination as he took the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car Friday at the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

[read more…]

Ashely Force Becomes First Female Funny Car Points Leader

LAS VEGAS – Tim Wilkerson (above) broke a three and ½ year winless streak and denied Ashley Force her first career Funny Car win in the process at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Wilkerson, a Springfield-Ill.-based auto service shop owner, drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.962 at 292.58 to a win over Force, who turned in a 4.993 at 313.95 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.

Despite the loss, Force leaves the event as the first woman in NHRA history to top the Funny Car point standings as the tour moves to Atlanta.

[read more…]