Wilkerson, Torrence and Anderson take top qualifying positions at SpringNationals

Baytown, Texas – Tim Wilkerson raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car at Royal Purple Raceway at the NHRA SpringNationals on Saturday.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also earned top qualifying positions in their respective categories at the sixth event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Funny Car

Wilkerson, who won his second race of the season last weekend in Charlotte, N.C., earned the 18th No.1 qualifier of his career with his Friday night 3.899-second push at 327.59 mph in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. His performance was a personal best and track record elapsed time. This is his first No. 1 qualifier since the Charlotte race in September of 2012. Wilkerson will face Jim Campbell in Sunday’s first round of eliminations.

1. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.899, 327.59 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Dodge Charger, 11.346, 79.01; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.910, 324.90 vs. 15. John Hale, Charger, 6.646, 99.19; 3. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.915, 320.66 vs. 14. Bob Bode, Toyota Solara, 6.132, 157.47; 4. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.923, 328.06 vs. 13. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 4.224, 293.86; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.953, 324.98 vs. 12. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.123, 262.64; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.953, 321.27 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.049, 307.16; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.969, 315.56 vs. 10. John Force, Camaro, 4.005, 322.11; 8. Chad Head, Camry, 3.972, 315.86 vs. 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.982, 327.43.

Top Fuel

In Top Fuel, Torrence claimed his fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and third in-a-row with his track record time of 3.724 at 329.42, which he posted on Friday in his Capco Contractors/Torrence Racing dragster. This is Torrence’s ninth top qualifier of his career. Torrence, who won the season-opener in Southern California, will face Rob Passey in the opening round of eliminations.

1. Steve Torrence, 3.724 seconds, 329.42 mph vs. 16. Rob Passey, broke; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.743, 324.36 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, broke; 3. Clay Millican, 3.743, 323.12 vs. 14. Leah Pritchett, 6.305, 139.20; 4. Richie Crampton, 3.752, 314.31 vs. 13. Scott Palmer, 4.028, 254.62; 5. Antron Brown, 3.753, 321.58 vs. 12. J.R. Todd, 3.889, 300.53; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.760, 325.06 vs. 11. Troy Buff, 3.870, 311.70; 7. Brittany Force, 3.761, 307.30 vs. 10. Kebin Kinsley, 3.870, 310.05; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.766, 322.19 vs. 9. Terry McMillen, 3.819, 314.02.

Pro Stock

In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson powered to his third No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 83rd of his career with a 6.589 at 210.41 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. The four-time champion will have a bye in the first round of eliminations. He will face the winner of the Vincent Nobile versus Alex Laughlin matchup in the second round.

1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.589, 210.70 vs. Bye; 2. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.590, 210.28 vs. 13. V. Gaines, Dodge Dart, 6.968, 208.07; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.623, 209.88 vs. 12. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.683, 207.21; 4. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.632, 209.01 vs. 11. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.655, 208.10; 5. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.635, 208.97 vs. 10. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.653, 209.07; 6. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.635, 209.14 vs. 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.646, 208.39; 7. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.639, 208.49 vs. 8. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.644, 209.07.

Eliminations at the NHRA SpringNationals will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Royal Purple Raceway.

NHRA