Championship Drag Racing

O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals
Topeka, Kan.
(May 30-June 1)

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Driver Profile

Rod Fuller Yas Marina Circuit dragster

Topeka, pre-race: Two weeks ago at Bristol Dragway, Rod Fuller qualified his Caterpillar dragster ninth with a run of 4.584 seconds. He was defeated in the opening round by J.R. Todd when the Caterpillar dragster suffered a mechanical malfunction and slowed to a run of 4.635 seconds. It was Fuller’s third opening-round loss of the season.

Fuller enters the ninth race on the 24-race schedule ranked fourth in the Top Fuel standings. Fuller’s teammate, Antron Brown, ranks second. Fuller won his seventh career Top Fuel race when he won at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis in early May.

“This is a big race for our team," said Fuller. "We need to go some rounds. The points are bunched up and we’d like to separate ourselves, but more importantly we want to put on a good show for our three CAT dealers. Topeka is the one track I’ve never won a round at in Top Fuel. I want to get that monkey off our back and turn things around at Heartland Park.”

Added crew chief Rob Flynn, “We’re looking forward to representing the three CAT dealers, Martin, Foley and Warren, at Topeka. After the last event at Bristol (Tenn.), we feel we have a good race car. We want to get back on track of winning rounds.”

Heartland Park Topeka remains the only track on tour where Fuller has yet to advance passed the first round of eliminations. In three tries at the Topeka track, Fuller has lost to perennial title contender Doug Kalitta in the opening round twice. Last season, Fuller qualified fourth, 4.566 at 324.51, and lost a close match to Kalitta in round one, 4.549 to 4.581.

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