Dallas - Fuller - Post qualifying 09-23-06

Fuller flourishing in familiar environment

DALLAS (Sept. 23) -- As a sportsman racer living with his parents in Rogers, Ark., Top Fuel driver "Hot Rod" Fuller would often forgo the local bracket racing circuit and make the five-hour drive to the Texas Motorplex to compete at the sport's original supertrack. Returning with the powerful Valvoline race team, Fuller has used that local knowledge to nail down the lofty No. four qualifying slot at this weekend's O'Reilly Fall Nationals.

Fuller successfully navigated the all-concrete racetrack with a 4.554 at 322 mph in the fourth session of qualifying, giving him lane choice over No. 13 qualifier Bob Vandergriff Jr., who he'll race in Sunday's opening round of eliminations. 

With five races left in the 2006 season, Fuller is doing everything he can to gain a foothold in the prestigious top five of the sport's ultimate class. Last year, racing a limited schedule, Fuller and the David Powers Motorsports group managed a 10th-place finish, making them one of the best start-up teams ever.

At the start of this weekend's race, Fuller was seven points out of the top five. Points are gained in qualifying and eliminations, with each round win worth 20 points. There are just 20 rounds of professional action left this season.

Qualifying action of this event will air Saturday evening from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. CST, on ESPN2. Sunday's eliminations run from 6-9 p.m. CST, also on ESPN2.

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