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DALLAS (Sept. 18) -- When Top Fuel driver "Hot Rod" Fuller was a budding sportsman racer in his hometown of Rogers, Ark., he used to tell his parents little, white lies just to get a chance to race at the Texas Motorplex, the site of this weekend's 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals. Although he enjoyed the challenge of the sport's only all-concrete quarter-mile, it was another local attraction that had him telling fibs.
"That song about the girls in Texas being prettier is true," Fuller said. "From the first time I went to Ennis, I have always been blown away by those good-looking Texas girls. Oh yeah, I like the racetrack also."
Fuller returns to the Lone Star State with an 8,000-horsepower hot rod that's fully capable of getting all the girl's to pay attention. His Valvoline/David Powers Homes dragster has been running very strong all year and two recent No. 1 qualifying efforts have the entire team thinking about a big finish to the 2006 season.
"Last week's rainout means we have three races in a row now," Fuller said. "I'd love to get a winning streak going this weekend and just ride it all the way to Pomona .
"Winning at the Motorplex would be special. They have that area with the bricks where all the former winners have their names inscribed and I've always wanted to be a part of that. Aside from the pretty girls, this track has always been one of my favorites. It's very fast and also a little treacherous so it's a challenge to do well here. You have to be prepared every pass and never let up. It's places like Dallas where this team shines."
ESPN2 will carry two hours of qualifying coverage from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday with a three-hour elimination show running from 7-10 p.m. Sunday.
Local sights have always drawn Fuller to Dallas
DALLAS (Sept. 18) -- When Top Fuel driver "Hot Rod" Fuller was a budding sportsman racer in his hometown of Rogers, Ark., he used to tell his parents little, white lies just to get a chance to race at the Texas Motorplex, the site of this weekend's 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals. Although he enjoyed the challenge of the sport's only all-concrete quarter-mile, it was another local attraction that had him telling fibs.
"That song about the girls in Texas being prettier is true," Fuller said. "From the first time I went to Ennis, I have always been blown away by those good-looking Texas girls. Oh yeah, I like the racetrack also."
Fuller returns to the Lone Star State with an 8,000-horsepower hot rod that's fully capable of getting all the girl's to pay attention. His Valvoline/David Powers Homes dragster has been running very strong all year and two recent No. 1 qualifying efforts have the entire team thinking about a big finish to the 2006 season.
"Last week's rainout means we have three races in a row now," Fuller said. "I'd love to get a winning streak going this weekend and just ride it all the way to Pomona .
"Winning at the Motorplex would be special. They have that area with the bricks where all the former winners have their names inscribed and I've always wanted to be a part of that. Aside from the pretty girls, this track has always been one of my favorites. It's very fast and also a little treacherous so it's a challenge to do well here. You have to be prepared every pass and never let up. It's places like Dallas where this team shines."
ESPN2 will carry two hours of qualifying coverage from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday with a three-hour elimination show running from 7-10 p.m. Sunday.
