Sandy Wilkins Goes Back to Back at the Gators

Sandy Wilkins visited the winners circle at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals for the second year in a row after winning Top Sportsman.

GAINESVILLE- Sandy Wilkins took home the trophy after his Top Sportsman victory at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Wilkins drove through a tough field to earn his fourth National Event Wally on the big stage. This was his second year in a row winning the event. 

Wilkins sky-rocketed to the No. 1 position in qualifying with a 6.436 at 214.25mph.

Sandy kicked off his run to the trophy with an easy first round bye. Since he was No. 1 qualifier, he earned the first-round bye on the ladder to advance to round two.

In the second round of eliminations, Wilkins lined up with previous world champion Ronnie Proctor. Sandy threw down an .010 package for Proctor to work with, but with his .020 reaction time he was mathematically ineligible.

Wilkins was given the easy third round win after opponent Michael Koebel Jr. missed the tree. Sandy was .011 and ran a 6.809 on a 6.72 dial to advance to the next round.

Wilkins and Jackie Robison squared up in the semifinal round. In Wilkins’ favor, Robison flinched and turned on the red bulb by -.092. Sandy was .016 and ran a 6.747 to advance to his eighth National Event final round.

Ron Riegel lined up with Wilkins in the final round. Riegel made it past multiple tough opponents, like Jeff Brooks, John Taylor, and David Tatum, to advance to the final round.

Wilkins had the starting line advantage, .047 to .077, and ran one above his dial-in to collect the trophy. Even though Riegel ran dead on his dial in, his late reaction time cost him the trophy.

Sandy collected his fourth NHRA National Event Wally and his second in a row at the Gators.

Congrats to Sandy and his family on their latest victory!

For more Lucas Oil sportsman results from the Gators click here.

An avid racer herself, Megan Strassweg, 28, sees her two worlds collide with DragChamp – journalism and drag racing. Megan resides in Evansville, IN, and she pilots a 2015 American Dragster in the NHRA North Central Division 3 Super Comp series, along with some local bracket racing on the side. Her passion for racing began early, having grown up at the racetrack, and she remains committed to the sport.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com