One for the little guy

Tim Wilkerson is surprise leader in Funny Car

Tim Wilkerson, in the days of big corporate backing, is an NHRA throwback.
The veteran Funny Car driver has limited funding and is one of the few single-car teams on the Powerade Series circuit.
But he showed the little guy can still step up when need be.
Wikerson will race from the No. 1 spot Sunday after he driving his Chevy Impala to a 4.790-second run at 325.22 mph.
"I'm pretty happy with the run," Wilkerson said. "We left a lot on the table in the morning. We were at the point where we were already (qualified), so we might has well go for the throat and it worked."
Wilkerson also got some praise from Don Prudhomme, who Wilkerson has a working agreement with the Top Fuel owner.
"He just stuck his head in and said, 'How about those old junk parts? They work pretty darn good, heh.' I was kidding him about the old parts he gave me," Wilkerson said. "It's not always the quality, but the quanity."