Houston, pre-race: Funny Car pilot Tim Wilkerson has enjoyed good performance from his Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) Monte Carlo so far this season; in just the second full year for Wilkerson and LRS. Wilkerson is looking to continue that performance this weekend at the 17th Annual O’Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park, even with two new factors that the teams will have to overcome, thrown into the mix.

First of all, the nitro classes are learning to deal with a new tire that Goodyear has built for them. Wilkerson made one pass on it at the last event in Las Vegas, and found that it really affected the car’s performance.

“When we ran the new tire in Las Vegas we saw that it stuck so much better than the old tire did,” Wilkerson said. “It drug our car to it’s knees, so it appears that we’re going to have to change the way we run our car. But it did run good and it showed us some promise. I do believe we’re going to have a transition period with the new tires, and I’m a bit concerned about it. I’m a little hesitant to say that we can do it in one or two passes. So I hope the weather cooperates this weekend and we get four qualifying attempts, so we have time to figure things out before race day.”

Secondly, work has been done to Houston’s quarter-mile racing surface. Last year at this event the condition of the track caused the Funny Cars some difficulties. Over the winter the track was re-surfaced, which could be good for the cars or could be a problem.

“The Pro Stock’s ran here earlier this year,” said Wilkerson, “and they said the track was smooth and really good. So it may surprise us and be great or it may be green like Gainesville was.”

Wilkerson, who took the No. 1 qualifying position and advanced to the semifinal round at the Gainesville race, wouldn’t mind if the Houston track was still green.

“It could be great for us if Houston is like Gainesville,” said Wilkerson. “The fresh surface didn’t bother us. We were able to figure it out, but some of the high-powered teams weren’t so lucky. But whatever the track condition, you know that every race is anybody’s guess. So, if you ask me and the team, our guess is that this weekend the Levi, Ray & Shoup/White Night Monte Carlo will enjoy a great outing in Texas.”

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