Pomona, pre-race: Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the coping with snowstorms and below freezing temperatures, seventh place 2003 NHRA POWERade Funny Car points finisher, Tim Wilkerson has been busily preparing for the challenge of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series during the off season.

The Springfield, Ill. shop has been abuzz with activity. Besides the usual tasks of buying parts and building engines, preparations have been made for the arrival of the new Monte Carlo body, new graphics have been created for the Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) Funny Car, new uniforms were designed and ordered and a new truck and trailer were purchased and are being made ready to be in use by Phoenix.

As the transporter pulls out of the shop and heads west to the 44th Annual K&N Filters Winternationals, Wilkerson reflects, “what a great feeling it is going into the new season. We’re a top ten team, we have a couple of wins under our belt, and we have the valuable friendship and support of Dick Levi and all the good folks at Levi, Ray & Shoup. Then we’ve been fortunate to add the support of new sponsors, White Night Rear Lighting Systems as major associate, and Craftsman Tools and Summit Racing Equipment as associates, in addition to the return of long time supporters, Fram Filters and Goodyear Tires. We are going into the new racing season in the best shape ever, equipment wise, crew wise and especially sponsor wise.

“Our main goal for 2004 is to concentrate on being one of the most consistent cars from race to race. We’ll let the “hot dogs” worry about being the first car to 330 mph or the first 4.60 second Funny Car. If we can achieve this goal, by the World Finals there should be plenty of highlights to reflect upon.”

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