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23rd annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals
February 23-25, 2007
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
"I"m stoked. The team is working well together and we proved to everyone that we're a strong team. Coming into Pomona, we were still an underdog, but we set a career-best and qualified No. 2 at the quickest field in history, that's pretty impressive. We ran three 4.40s and just missed making the finals and possibly winning the race. Plus, I have a two-year win streak at Phoenix. I've won 11 straight rounds there. We ran a 4.49 in testing and I think we'll qualify well and have a good weekend and try and get another win and takeover the points lead."
Fuller CSK Nationals Notebook
Last season, Fuller earned his second career NHRA Top Fuel victory when he won the CSK Nationals. He qualified fourth (4.505 seconds) and knocked off Melanie Troxel in the final round (4.563 to 4.589).
Fuller also won at the CSK Nationals in 2004 in Super Gas when he defeated a red-lighting Glen Smith in the final round. He has won 11 straight rounds at Firebird International Raceway. He won 7 round en route to collecting the Super Gas win.
Two weeks ago at Pomona, Fuller clocked the two quickest runs of his career (4.481 and 4.489 seconds) during qualifying for the 2007 season-opener.
During the National Time Trials at Phoenix (Jan. 26-31), Fuller clocked a pass of 4.490 seconds with a monostrut rear wing equipped on the race car.
Fuller on Phoenix...
The CSK Nationals:
"Defending champion"
Firebird International Raceway:
"Adversity. The track is tough to figure out."
Favorite local restaurant:
"RA Sushi"
Favorite Phoenix memory:
"Winning the race last year."
Favorite activity while at Phoenix:
"Spring training baseball."
2007 NHRA Top Fuel Standings
1. J.R. Todd (1) 114 - - - -
2. Brandon Bernstein 95 - 19
3. ROD FULLER 77 -37
4. David Grubnic 73 -41
5. Doug Kalitta 55 -59
6. WHIT BAZEMORE 53 -61
7. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. 52 -62
8. Joe Hartley 51 -63
9. Tony Schumacher 38 -76
10. Larry Dixon 34 -80
Rod Fuller's Career Results at Firebird International Raceway
Year Qualified Finish & Winning Driver
1996 DNQ
2006 No. 4 WINNER—def. Melanie Troxel
Rod Fuller's Phoenix Schedule
Date & Time Event and Location
Wed., Feb. 21, 5 p.m. NHRA/CSK Nationals Fan Fest Arizona Mills Mall (SW corner near Baseline)
Thurs., Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. Race The Pro Media Race, Firebird Raceway
Fri., Feb. 23, 2/4:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 1/2, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Sat., Feb. 24, 12:30/3 p.m. TF Qualifying 3/4, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Sun., Feb. 25, 11 a.m. Final Eliminations, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Fuller's Career-Best Performances
E.T.-4.481 seconds Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2007
MPH-330.96 MPH Joliet, Ill. June 2006
E.T.-4.505 seconds Chandler, Ariz. Feb. 2006
MPH-326.63 MPH Chandler, Ariz. Feb. 2006
Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals TV Schedule (ESPN2)
Date & Time (ET) Coverage
Sat., Feb. 25, 12-1 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.-Noon NHRA Raceday
Sun., Feb. 25, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage
The Fuller Times
The prerace release of three-time NHRA Top Fuel winner
"Hot" Rod Fuller and the Valvoline Racing Top Fuel team
The prerace release of three-time NHRA Top Fuel winner
"Hot" Rod Fuller and the Valvoline Racing Top Fuel team
23rd annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals
February 23-25, 2007
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
"I"m stoked. The team is working well together and we proved to everyone that we're a strong team. Coming into Pomona, we were still an underdog, but we set a career-best and qualified No. 2 at the quickest field in history, that's pretty impressive. We ran three 4.40s and just missed making the finals and possibly winning the race. Plus, I have a two-year win streak at Phoenix. I've won 11 straight rounds there. We ran a 4.49 in testing and I think we'll qualify well and have a good weekend and try and get another win and takeover the points lead."
Fuller CSK Nationals Notebook
Last season, Fuller earned his second career NHRA Top Fuel victory when he won the CSK Nationals. He qualified fourth (4.505 seconds) and knocked off Melanie Troxel in the final round (4.563 to 4.589).
Fuller also won at the CSK Nationals in 2004 in Super Gas when he defeated a red-lighting Glen Smith in the final round. He has won 11 straight rounds at Firebird International Raceway. He won 7 round en route to collecting the Super Gas win.
Two weeks ago at Pomona, Fuller clocked the two quickest runs of his career (4.481 and 4.489 seconds) during qualifying for the 2007 season-opener.
During the National Time Trials at Phoenix (Jan. 26-31), Fuller clocked a pass of 4.490 seconds with a monostrut rear wing equipped on the race car.
Fuller on Phoenix...
The CSK Nationals:
"Defending champion"
Firebird International Raceway:
"Adversity. The track is tough to figure out."
Favorite local restaurant:
"RA Sushi"
Favorite Phoenix memory:
"Winning the race last year."
Favorite activity while at Phoenix:
"Spring training baseball."
2007 NHRA Top Fuel Standings
1. J.R. Todd (1) 114 - - - -
2. Brandon Bernstein 95 - 19
3. ROD FULLER 77 -37
4. David Grubnic 73 -41
5. Doug Kalitta 55 -59
6. WHIT BAZEMORE 53 -61
7. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. 52 -62
8. Joe Hartley 51 -63
9. Tony Schumacher 38 -76
10. Larry Dixon 34 -80
Rod Fuller's Career Results at Firebird International Raceway
Year Qualified Finish & Winning Driver
1996 DNQ
2006 No. 4 WINNER—def. Melanie Troxel
Rod Fuller's Phoenix Schedule
Date & Time Event and Location
Wed., Feb. 21, 5 p.m. NHRA/CSK Nationals Fan Fest Arizona Mills Mall (SW corner near Baseline)
Thurs., Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. Race The Pro Media Race, Firebird Raceway
Fri., Feb. 23, 2/4:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 1/2, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Sat., Feb. 24, 12:30/3 p.m. TF Qualifying 3/4, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Sun., Feb. 25, 11 a.m. Final Eliminations, Firebird Int’l Raceway
Fuller's Career-Best Performances
E.T.-4.481 seconds Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2007
MPH-330.96 MPH Joliet, Ill. June 2006
E.T.-4.505 seconds Chandler, Ariz. Feb. 2006
MPH-326.63 MPH Chandler, Ariz. Feb. 2006
Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals TV Schedule (ESPN2)
Date & Time (ET) Coverage
Sat., Feb. 25, 12-1 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.-Noon NHRA Raceday
Sun., Feb. 25, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage
