Wilkerson takes over points lead with win; Fuller, K.J., Hines also victorious

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Funny Car rookie Mike Neff finally collected his first round-win and made his first trip to the final round in the same day at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol, but Tim Wilkerson edged ahead of him after an incredible wire-to-wire race to earn a victory at his home track and take the Funny Car points lead for the first time in his career.

A drastic weather change created havoc for the Pro Stock cars at Gateway Int'l Raceway, but there were other surprises in store for the doorslammers, including a late final-round launch for freshly returned Dave Connolly that sent well-tuned Kurt Johnson straight to the winner's circle and a dethroning of Team Summit final-round kings Greg Anderson and Jason Line, who have traded final-round showings every event this season. Andrew Hines raced ahead of a broken Matt Smith to win while recording his 16th Pro Stock Motorcycle pass in the sixes, and "Hot Rod" Fuller earned the Top Fuel Wally in a great side-by-side race with Tony Schumacher.