Madison, pre-race: Springfield, Ill. native, Tim Wilkerson has spent a great deal of his racing career at Gateway International Raceway. Having the racetrack 91 miles from home makes it a convenient place for Wilkerson to enjoy one of the great passions in his life. And during the years that Wilkerson has been racing down the asphalt quarter-mile it is obvious that the talented Funny Car driver and tuner has become a Gateway favorite.

“I have some great memories of Gateway,” said Wilkerson. "We’ve been racing here for as long as I can remember. We used to call it the ‘swamp’ and I bracket raced here. It certainly wasn’t the first rate facility that it is now. I remember I top qualified here in 1998 with a 5.064 at 293.54 mph, which at the time were both track records. And I’m still making great memories here. We've raced my boy's Jr. Dragsters here and we've had a blast."

Wilkerson has demonstrated acknowledged talent this year and has enjoyed some of his career best performance. Add familiarity with the track to the mix and it may just be the advantage that the Funny Car pilot can use to power the Levi, Ray & Shoup Monte Carlo to the winner’s circle at the 8th Annual Sears Craftsman Nationals.

"You would think that we would have an advantage here," said Wilkerson, "but every time that we come to this place it seems to throw us some kind of a curve. But we should because we've raced here a lot. We've seen it at it's best and at it's worst. The NHRA Safety Safari does a great job prepping the track, so it should be as good as it's going to get. This weekend we're going to race in the evening and that always means we need to throw in our best technique also. So, I'm optimistic that everything will be good based on our experience here."

The Sears Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway is known for hot humid weather, thus the reason for all nighttime racing. But this weekend the forecast is for pleasant daytime temperatures and cool evenings.

"Cool temperatures should make this track really good," said Wilkerson. "It's never in the 80's here, it's always in the high 90's, it's terrible. So, maybe if we can get the track cooled off at the other end, we will see some good e.t.'s. Everyone is going to be tip-toeing down there the first night, but by Saturday, we should see some good numbers."

Being so close to home means Wilkerson has more support at this race than usual. Besides having the Wilk Warriors and his family and friends cheering him on, Springfield, Ill. headquartered, Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) makes this race a special outing.

"It would be so great if we could get our second win of the year this weekend," said Wilkerson. "Dick Levi is bringing bus loads of LRS employees. We would love to get a win in front of Dick and his employees, our friends at Craftsman, and all our friends and family who come to this race to cheer us on.”

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