Indianapolis, pre-race: The defending Mac Tools U. S. Nationals Funny Car champion, Tim Wilkerson is anxiously looking forward to putting his skills and talents to work again on the Indianapolis Raceway Park quarter-mile for this weekend's 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Taking the Levi, Ray & Shoup fuel coupe to the winner's circle last year is a highlight in Wilkerson's career that will shine forever. And coming into this prestigious event as the reigning champion puts extra pressure on the ambitious Wilkerson to try to repeat.

"I really don't think about the pressure," said Wilkerson. "You know me, I don't care about that kind of stuff. I know everybody tested here last week and that there were fast times, so I just want to qualifying in the top half of the field and learn how to make our car run better. If we do that and go a few rounds on Monday, I may just be reigning champ again."

On Sunday, eight Funny Cars will run the Skoal Showdown, a race within the race. The teams earned points for the past year in an attempt to qualify. Wilkerson is one of only a few teams that earned the honor to race for the $100,000 prize, and the only single car team. This will be Wilkerson's second appearance in the Skoal Showdown in his Funny Car career and the first time he will be taking his Levi, Ray & Shoup Monte Carlo.

"I'm looking forward to being in the Skoal Showdown," expressed Wilkerson, "and it's pretty cool to be the only single car team. We usually qualified in the top half of the field so we thought we had a good chance to qualify for the Showdown. But we need to try and not get too caught up in the pressure and excitement. We come to the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals for the race and the Skoal Showdown is a bonus. We think that if it's hot and nasty on Sunday, we should go a few rounds and maybe get the big check."

The Springfield, Ill. native is a hometown favorite and celebrity; and due to the close proximity of Springfield to Indianapolis the stands will be full of fans, including the famous Wilk Warriors, Wilkerson family and friends and sponsor guests; all very supportive of what Wilkerson and his team can and will accomplish this weekend.

"With all the momentum that Tim has going," expressed Dick Levi of Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS), "the folks at LRS are really excited about the upcoming U.S. Nationals in Indy. We'd love to see Tim bring home the championship two years in a row, and win the Skoal Showdown while he's at it. I'm bringing several friends on Labor Day to see Tim, his crew and the LRS Monte Carlo in the winner's circle."

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