Bristol: Rod Fuller preview

Fuller ready to fulfill belated birthday wishes in Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 24) --After a two-week Easter break, "Hot Rod" Fuller is looking forward to celebrating a birthday when he and the rest of the Valvoline/David Powers Motorsports team return to action this weekend for the sixth running of the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Turning the ripe old age of 35 has given Fuller a shot of optimism heading into the event. "Although my birthday was on the 20th, I didn't have the opportunity to celebrate with all of my racing friends," Fuller said. "What better way to party than with a belated birthday victory in Bristol's winners circle?"

After the last race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, crew chief Lee Beard, assistant crew chief Rob Flynn, and the rest of the Valvoline/David Powers Motorsports team performed more testing on the dragster.

"Getting a handle on the tune-up is really important to us as we head into the heart of the season," Beard said. "Bristol is a great facility for us to show everybody how serious we are about being a contender. We're expecting great qualifying rounds, especially on Friday night when the track cools down. Sunday, we'll be ready for them, I promise."

Following a second-round appearance at the season opener in Pomona and an event win in Phoenix at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals, Fuller heads to Bristol with a hold on seventh place in POWERade points.

Coverage of the sixth annual O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals will be televised on ESPN2, with qualifications carried on Saturday from 9--11 p.m. and final eliminations on Sunday from 6-9 p.m. CST.

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