The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the final race before the six-race Countdown to the Championship. The stakes are high the race being the drivers’ final chance to secure a spot in the chase for a championship. Over the last four weeks, several teams have made significant improvements enabling them to obtain critical round wins that have put them in a place to control their own destiny.
Here are three drivers to watch at this weekend’s prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis Indiana:
1. FC, Tim Wilkerson
Wilkerson is the driver, tuner and team owner of the Levi, Ray & Shop Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car and is one of just two single-car teams in the category to finish in the Top 10 in 2017. After getting off to a slow start, he and his team have started to get into a groove at the right time.
Wilkerson has been one of the most consistent cars over the past five races, posing a 7-5 round win/loss record. Since his final round appearance in Epping, NH; the Illinois native has been a Top 10 qualifier over this five-race span. He is a driver to watch as he could clinch his spot in the Countdown as early as the qualifying run.
2. TF, Mike Salinas
Salinas has caught lightning in a bottle in his last four races but this will be his first time competing at the U.S. Nationals. He advanced to his first career final round in Bristol this season as well as driven his Scrappers Racing Top Fuel dragster to back-to-back semifinal appearances heading into Indy.
Despite having a rollercoaster season, Salinas has seemingly hung around the 10th and 11th position in the points all season long. Over the past two races, he has a win/loss record of 4-2 with back-to-back Top 10 qualifying efforts.
Salinas will have his work cut out for him as just nine points separate the 9-11 places in the points. He will need to continue his upward trend if he wants to lock up his first ever Countdown appearance.
3. PSM, Jimmy Underdahl
Underdahl has not had the season that he would have hoped but has quietly tiptoed himself into striking distance of 10th place Hector Arana, Sr. Despite his 4-8 win/loss round record this season, he has been able to go three-for-three in his last 16 rounds of racing, making one semifinal appearance.
The Forest Lake, Minnesota native has the performance and ability to go on a run and, what a better way to do so than at the U.S Nationals? Being just 10 points back of Lucas Oil Buell motorcycle rider, Arana Sr., he will need to out qualify or go more rounds than Arana.
Underdahl’s progress throughout this weekend will be intriguing as he tries to bump his way into the Top 10… something he hasn’t accomplished since 2015.