The Fuller Times

53rd annual U.S. Nationals
Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 2007
O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
Clermont, Ind.

“I’m coming into the U.S. Nationals with a chip on my shoulder. To be honest with you, I was excited about the Countdown, but knowing we’d have a great shot to be the champion, it’s not fun seeing 174 points go bye-bye. I can’t let that bother us and we just need to go in and try to win Indy. Winning Indy would be huge. A lot of people would rather win Indy than the championship, it’s that important of a race.”

Fuller Indianapolis Notebook
Two weeks ago in Reading , Pa. , Fuller captured his sixth career pole and fourth this season with a run of 4.521 seconds at 327.19 mph. He advanced to his fifth final round of the season where he posted a runner-up finish to Doug Herbert.

Fuller will lead the eight-car field into the Countdown to Four beginning at the U.S. Nationals. Through the first 17 races, Fuller and his Rob Flynn-led team amassed 1,255 points and led second-place driver Tony Schumacher by 184 points. Fuller was atop the standings following 14 of 17 races this season and has not ranked lower than third ( Pomona 1).

Last year, Fuller qualified fourth at O’Reilly Raceway Park with a pass of 4.509 at 329.67 mph. He advanced to the semifinals before losing a close match with Schumacher.

The Las Vegas racer has two wins ( Phoenix and Denver ) in five final-round appearances this season. He also has four poles ( Atlanta , Norwalk , St. Louis and Reading ). Fuller has an average starting position of 3.23 his year.

Fuller will race his yellow-and-black Caterpillar dragster for the seventh time this season with support from MacAllister CAT. Fuller raced his Wagner CAT car to the win at Denver in July. He also has two runner-up finishes in the CAT car ( Joliet and Reading ).

Fuller posted a runner-up finish in Super Gas at the 1998 U.S. Nationals.

Fuller on Indy…Indianapolis :
“The crown jewel of drag racing”

O’Reilly Raceway Park :
“Heartache”

Favorite local restaurants:
“St. Elmo’s Steakhouse, Wasabi on 82nd”

Favorite O’Reilly Raceway Park racing memory:
“I haven’t experienced it yet.”

Favorite activity while at Indy:
“Shopping at Circle Center Mall”

2007 NHRA Top Fuel Standings – Countdown To Four
1. ROD FULLER (2) 2,070 - - -
2. Tony Schumacher (4) 2,060 -10
3. Larry Dixon (2) 2,050 -20
4. Brandon Bernstein (5) 2,040 -30
5. J.R. Todd (2) 2,030 -40
6. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. 2,020 -50
7. WHIT BAZEMORE 2,010 -60
8. Doug Herbert (1) 2,000 -70

Rod Fuller’s Career Results at O’Reilly Raceway Park
Year Qualified Finish & Winning Driver
2005 No. 8 Second round—Tony Schumacher
2006 No. 4 Semifinals—Tony Schumacher

Fuller’s Indianapolis Schedule
Date & Time Event and Location
Fri., Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 1, O’Reilly Raceway Park
Sat., Sept. 1, 2:45/7:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 2/3, O’Reilly Raceway Park
Sun., Sept. 2, 12:45/3:40 p.m. TF Qualifying 4/5, O’Reilly Raceway Park
Mon., Sept. 3, 11 a.m. Final Eliminations, O’Reilly Raceway Park

Fuller’s Career-Best Performances
E.T.—4.464 seconds Joliet , Ill. June 2007
MPH—331.61 MPH Chandler , Ariz. Feb. 2007
E.T.—4.508 seconds Clermont , Ind. Sept. 2006
MPH—329.67 MPH Clermont , Ind. Sept. 2006

U.S. Nationals TV Schedule (ESPN2)
Date & Time (ET) Coverage
Sun., Sept. 2, 12:30-1:30 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Sept. 2, 2-5:30 p.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Sept. 3, Midnight-1 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Sept. 3, Noon-3 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage
Sun., Sept. 3, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage