Topeka: Rod Fuller Saturday summary

Fuller beats the heat with top qualifying speed

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 27) --After two days and four passes of qualifying runs down Heartland Park Topeka's quarter-mile, the Valvoline/David Powers Motorsports Top Fuel dragster is solidly in the field for Sunday's final eliminations of the 18th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals.

The Lee Beard tuned rail burned up an already hot track with a weekend-best run of 4.727-seconds at 322.96 mph, the highest speed of the weekend. With an ambient air temperature in the mid 90's and track readings topping the 120 degree mark, Beard's expertise helped Fuller ease the Powers-owned machine into the 14th qualifying position.

"Lee knows what it takes to get these wheeled rockets down the track and he proved it today," Fuller said. "The car felt good from the moment I hit the throttle all the way through the quarter-mile stripe. The car has more to give and I know Lee will have the tune just where it needs to be to go all four rounds tomorrow."

Fuller's first round opponent of final eliminations will be Doug Kalitta, who had the lowest e.t of the day, stopping the timers at 4.614-seconds.

Driving a Top Fuel dragster is a handful. It took "Hot Rod" Fuller over a decade piloting cars in the Sportsman class to earn his wings and move up into the pro class so he knows what it takes to go four rounds and win races.

Final elimination coverage of the 18th Annual O'Reilly Summer Nationals will be carried on ESPN2 beginning at 9:00 p.m. CDT.

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