Tim Wilkerson tops Funny Car qualifying at Firebird International

Associated Press

Last update: February 24, 2008 - 9:58 AM

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Tim Wilkerson raced to his second consecutive No. 1 qualifying position of the Funny Car season Saturday, topping qualifying for the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Brandon Bernstein and Allen Johnson also were the No. 1 qualifiers in their divisions in the second NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event of the season.

Wilkerson drove his Chevy Impala SS to a 4.775-second run at 327.03 mph after rain Friday shortened the qualifying sessions from four to two.

Bernstein, who earned his 12th No. 1 qualifying award of his career, moved to the top of the field on the last qualifying session. Returning to the site of his first career win in 2003, Bernstein drove his dragster to the top spot with a run of 4.515 at 330.31, after rain canceled the first two qualifying sessions Friday.

Allen Johnson drove his Dodge Stratus to the No. 1 position on the last qualifying run of the day. Johnson's track-record run of 6.631 at 208.01 was an emotional one at the track where father and crew chief, Roy Johnson, had a heart attack a year ago.

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