Atlanta, pre-race: As the Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) Monte Carlo Funny Car driver, team owner and tuner, Tim Wilkerson prepares for the upcoming 24th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac at Atlanta Dragway, he is aware that his being fourth in the championship point standings is a big deal. And that he is the only single car team in the coveted top ten making what he and the LRS team have accomplished even more impressive. But for the Springfield, Ill. native, NHRA POWERade points are the least thing on his mind.

"I don't worry about points," said Wilkerson, "there's enough people around to do that for me. I don't like to make a big deal out of them, so I pretend that they don't matter. Now when we're down to only a few races left in the season, I worry about them, but that's a long way off. Instead, I just take one race at a time, and I worry about whatever obstacle it is we need to overcome for that race.

"Beginning this weekend with Atlanta, we're going to be getting into the warmest part of the year. I think we're going to have some issues with these new tires on hot tracks. We haven't seen what they will do when the track is 140 degrees. So, I have enough to do worrying about tires and hot tracks and dropping cylinders, instead of points. If we can overcome these obstacles, the points will come along."

Wilkerson is looking forward to this weekend's event for a several reasons. First of all, he has enjoyed good performance in the past at the Atlanta Dragway. Wilkerson has participated in the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac seven times in his Funny Car career and has had three semifinal round appearances. Secondly, there will be special guests joining him and the team.

"We're going to have our first pit-side hospitality of the season this weekend," said Wilkerson "We'll be hosting some friends from the LRS satellite office in Atlanta, and we're really looking forward to it. They are great supporters and we always have a good time with them. It would be great if this year we can step it up a notch and put the LRS Monte Carlo in the winner's circle for our good friends in Georgia."

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