Valvoline Racer Wilkerson Scores Second Straight Win in Funny Car; McClenathan Runner-up in Top Fuel
SONOMA, Calif. -- As he did last week in Seattle, Team Valvoline driver Tim Wilkerson defeated Tony Pedregon in the Funny Car final in Sunday's NHRA national event at Infineon Raceway.
It was the second win of the season for Wilkerson and the 13th of his career. He moved into fourth place in the Funny Car point standings.
Wilkerson covered the 1,000-foot dragstrip in 4.24 seconds compared to Pedregon's losing time of 4.32.
"We had a great car today," said Wilkerson. "To win Seattle and then come to the next race and back it up with another win is great. I try to be smart and not have the fastest car out there but to be consistent. I am a little afraid that our car is getting fatigued and I thought about bringing out a new one but after winning Seattle, I decided against it."
Wilkserson's victory was the 19th for Team Valvoline this season in NHRA competition. Eleven of the wins have come in the Funny Car category with Ron Capps winning five times plus two wins each for Wilkerson, Jack Beckman and Del Worsham.
Cory McClenthan nearly gave Valvoline another victory at Infineon Raceway, but he came up short, finishing runner-up to Antron Brown in the Top Fuel final. Brown swept the three-race Western Swing with wins in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma.
The NHRA Full Throttle Series will have the next two weekends off before resuming action Aug. 16 in Brainerd, Minn.
Team Valvoline NHRA Race Results
NHRA Full Throttle Series
July 26
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 11th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 4th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Next NHRA Event
Aug. 16
Brainerd, Minn.
