Fuller Charlotte II final report

FULLER REACHES QUARTER FINALS IN CHARLOTTE

Rod Fuller, Abu Dhabi/Yas Marina Circuit Dragster

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2011) – Hot Rod Fuller, driver of the Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel Dragster out of Abu Dhabi, competed this weekend in the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, September 15-18 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This particular event was the first of six final countdown to the championship races.

The weekend’s weather yielded near-perfect track conditions that sped several cars up to post record-breaking times and speeds. At the start of the fourth and final qualifying attempt, Fuller and the Yas Marina Circuit Dragster held the no. 13 spot. The team ran a 3.843 ET (elapsed time) at over 320 mph and jumped up to the top half of the field in the no. 8 spot. Fuller would face Terry McMillen for first round of eliminations on Sunday.

Fuller took Terry McMillen out of the show with a 3.815 at over 324 mph. This was Fuller’s best pass of the weekend and sent him onto second round where he would go up against Tony Schumacher.

During second round of eliminations, Fuller had the starting line advantage, but Schumacher pulled away for the win.

“I think we did really well this weekend. We were pulling out awesome speeds and were really good on our tune-ups, especially for first round of eliminations against Terry McMillen on Sunday. Our 1,000 ft speeds are just awesome right now and this weekend we showed everyone that. We were super confident going into second round even though Tony Schumacher is never the guy you want to have that early in the show. Unfortunately, we didn’t pull off that win, but we know we have what it takes to run with the top teams. Our crew chiefs really know what they’re doing and we’re continuously improving so we can’t complain too much,” Fuller said.

Fuller and the Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel Dragster will next compete in Dallas for the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, September 22-25.