Pomona II: Rod Fuller Thursday summary

"Hot" Rod Fuller drives to No. 4 spot on first day of qualifying at Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2006) -- Three-time NHRA Top Fuel winner "Hot" Rod Fuller raced his David Powers-owned Valvoline Top Fuel dragster to the fourth quickest pass on the opening day of qualifying at the 2006 NHRA season-finale Thursday afternoon at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona with a 4.537-second effort.

The Las Vegas resident and 16-time NHRA winner (13 sportsmen/3 Top Fuel) used a tune-up from seasoned crew chief Lee Beard to traverse the historic Pomona quarter mile in 4.537 seconds at 327.19 mph to grab the No. 4 qualifying position. Fuller qualified fifth at the 2006 NHRA season-opener at Pomona in February with a 4.518-second run. He has qualified fourth or better at 12 races this season with two No. 1 qualifying awards (St. Louis and Memphis).

"That was a nice opening run," Fuller said. "Lee (Beard), Rob (Flynn) and the guys did a great job. We struggled here in qualifying at the Winternationals until the final pass, so it's nice to start with a strong pass. It has a lot left in it too, so I'm excited."

Professional nitro qualifying will continue at 2:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday afternoon at the historic Pomona drag strip. Fuller won the Super Gas title at the Auto Club Finals in 2003.

-credit: dpm