Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson’s first pass on Friday afternoon did not crack the top 12, but he came out flying with his evening pass and became the first car to break into the 3 second mark at Gateway Motorsports Park and set a new track record. Wilkerson from Springfield, IL calls Gateway his home track and he electrified the crowd with his recording setting run.
But for Wilkerson it was short lived. As matter of fact it opened the door and six other drivers went on to break into the 3 second mark with Jack Beckman capturing the top spot with a 3.946 ET / 323.43 mph run.
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For Beckman today was redemption for the last race’s 1st round loss. Going into that race at Charlotte Beckman was the points leader, after the race he was in third place.
“This sport can beat you up,” said Beckman. “But you want to do the same thing that got you to this point.”
Beckman watched six cars ahead of him break the into the 3 second ET mark.
“I began to lick my chops because I knew we had a good setup,” said Beckman.
Del Worsham took the top spot Friday’s first qualify run with a 4.033 ET / 313.95 mph.
Top Fuel
Larry Dixon was the top qualifier for Friday in Top Fuel with 3.756 ET / 328.06 mph which was a top record. For Dixon who has been racing for 20 years, he has never won at Gateway.
“I love racing here but don’t have any hardware or No 1 qualifiers from this track.,” said Dixon.
Once again, record setting times as Dixon ran 3.756 seconds at 328.06 mph.
Dixon is on a new team this year that has yet to win a race but they have had five runner-up finishes.
J.R. Todd posted a second place finish with a 3.776 at 326.87 mph. In third place, Doug Kalitta ran a 3.777 at 322.42 and finally Antron Brown, came in fourth. Brown has dominated at Gateway Motorsports Park wining the event the past three years in a row.
Pro Stock
Greg Anderson broke the Gateway Motorsports Track record with a…. Anderson had the fastest time for both Friday sessions so he gained an additional 6 points towards the season championship. Anderson is currently in second place in the season championship.
“Need every point you can get,” said Anderson after jumping out his race car after his final pass on Friday.
Season points leader and last year Pro Stock champion, Erica Enders was second after her first pass in the early session but is now in third place after Drew Skillman raced into second with a 212.43mph / 6.510 ET.
For Anderson he striving for consistency.
” Our qualifying is really good,” said Anderson. “We need to keep it going on Sunday.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Jerry Savoie was the 2014 Pro Stock Motorcycle champ at Gateway Motorsports Park and he once again went to the front grabbing the Friday night top spot with his 213.27 mph / 6.513 pass.
“We won here [Gateway] last year,” said Savoie. “And first this year, maybe I am kind of sentimental.”
Savoie’s victory at Gateway Motorsports Park, was his first in his career.
Savoie is currently in third place in the season points championship, 52 points behind the leader, Andrew Hines. But with Savoie winning both sessions on Friday, he gained six points.
“I don’t pay attention [to points], I just go out there and have fun,” said Savoie. “But I am now paying more attention. We have along way for the championship.
Story by Kevin Proot
Photos by Larry Vancil
St. Louis Motor Racing News
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