Indy ORP: Tim Wilkerson Sunday notes

ANOTHER SOLID PASS FOR WILK, WHO WILL RACE FROM 9th SPOT

Tim Wilkerson posted another fine lap in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Mustang on Sunday, after waiting out a lengthy and dreary rain delay. When the precip disappeared, the bright sun brought with it instant heat and humidity, and most racers were skeptical that Saturday's runs could be matched. Wilkerson's 4.131 was just a click behind his 4.128 from Saturday night, but Jerry Toliver's big move from outside the field into the No. 7 spot knocked Wilk back a position, and he will now face teammate Bob Tasca in round one.

Tasca's Shelby detonated a motor one pair later, and earlier in the session Bob Bode banged the blower and shredded the body off his car, in a spectacular explosion that brought back memories of Del Worsham and Tommy Johnson, who had similar incidents befall them a couple of years ago.

"That was a pretty thrilling round, and we're fortunate everybody is alright," Wilkerson said. "Before the run, as hot and sticky as it was, you had a hard time imagining just how good it would be out there, but boy the conditions came around and it was pretty strong. We saw some of those runs ahead of us, and turned all the dials we could find, but we weren't exactly set up for a 4.09 or anything like that, so it was a good lap on our part.

"Sorry to see the Tasca guys next door have a big bang, too. They have a great team over there, and even though it might be a long night I know they'll have that car back to top form by the time we line up tomorrow. It'll be a huge test for us, and a big round for both teams. We both want to be on a roll going into the Countdown in Charlotte, but unfortunately one of us is going back on the trailer after round one. That's what stinks about having to run each other in the first round."

-credit: twr