The Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel drag racer Rod Fuller is aiming for a win at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals this weekend. This is the second in a series of four races being contested by “Hot Rod” Fuller as part of a tour sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
Fuller qualified third-fastest out of 18 Top Fuel cars in last weekend’s FRAM-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. The seven-time Top Fuel winner recorded a 3.873-second qualifying time on Saturday but was eliminated in the finals.
The elimination round at the California track saw a number of surprise results, including a defeat for defending champion Antron Brown, who recorded a time of 4.906 despite qualifying in second place in the Matco Tools/US Army dragster.
“We had a great qualifying round and it was a real thrill to qualify in third place,” Fuller said. “It showed what we’re capable of. I now have high hopes for the Denver race. The elevation of the circuit at a mile above sea level makes it a unique challenge for all the teams, because the set-up of the cars has to be totally different to run at this altitude. It creates a very level playing field. I’ve won here before and winning is my target this weekend.” The Denver race will be Fuller’s 100th start in a professional drag race.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is using the tour to promote Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination in the US market. Away from the drag strip, Fuller has been busy giving press, radio and TV interviews on the attractions of his new home.
“It’s been wonderful to see the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit car get so much exposure in the US,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of opportunity to promote Abu Dhabi as an exciting tourist destination and talk about how we’re developing NHRA drag racing at Yas Marina Circuit.”
Race-goers at Sonoma and Denver have extended a warm welcome to the whole Abu Dhabi team. “The close-knit NHRA drag-racing community seems genuinely delighted to have a new Top Fuel player taking part in these events,” said Peter Rae, Director of Communications for Yas Marina Circuit. “Rod’s many media interviews have focused largely on his life in Abu Dhabi, the creation of the Yas Drag Racing Academy, and why Abu Dhabi is racing in the USA. It has been an excellent promotional platform for Abu Dhabi and the UAE to an American audience.”
The team will also race in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 4-6 September and Charlotte, North Carolina, on 16-19 September.
