Story By: SARA SLAUGHTER / SCAG RACING – BRAINERD, MN – Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang Funny Car team are looking to build on their momentum as they head into this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
The SCAG Mustang has continued to be in the mix qualifying middle to top half of the pack at the last four events. Wilkerson most recently qualified No. 5 and beat teammate Dave Richards in the first round before falling short to points leader Austin Prock in the quarterfinals at the Sonoma Nationals in Northern California. Wilkerson enters the weekend sitting seventh in points.
“Having run some high 3.80 and a bunch of low 3.90-second runs over the past couple events, this SCAG Mustang team is stoked to head to Brainerd where the racetrack can yield some bad ass runs if it’s cool enough,” said Wilkerson who has experience as a crew member at BIR. “I was able to help tune Brian Stewart to his first three-second run there and won a bunch of rounds working on Tim’s car over the years here. It’s a great facility and I think I have pops convinced to make a few test laps Monday, so I’m personally looking forward to this weekend as well, plenty of seat time after a longer break.”
With BIR famous for its “Zoo” campground, the three nitro hot rods of SCAG Racing driven by Wilkerson, Funny Car teammate Dave Richards and Top Fuel teammate Justin Ashley, as well as the Pro Stock car of Elite Motorsports’ Jeg Coughlin Jr. will feature the animal version of SCAG Power Equipment products. Wilkerson’s Funny Car will highlight the Jackal.
This weekend we get to do something special. In line with the theme of ‘The Zoo,’ we are sporting our Jackal themed car this weekend,” Wilkerson said. “Getting to run this scheme is exciting for our whole team.”
Competition at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway begins with four sessions of qualifying Friday at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Eliminations are slated for Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Television coverage of the event will begin with qualifying shows Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will air on FOX Broadcasting Network (FOX) Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.