Monday, June 19, 2006
By DAVE TREFFINGER, Courier-Post Staff, OLD BRIDGE TWP
"Hot" Rod Fuller denied Larry Dixon a sixth straight victory on Father's Day while Ron Capps returned to dominance in the Funny Car class Sunday on a hot, humid day at the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series K&N Filters Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The other two professional classes were won by Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
"It seems like during my career I've been a spoiler," Fuller said on his third career Top Fuel victory and second this season.
The driver of the David Powers Homes/Valvoline dragster denied Melanie Troxel a victory earlier this year at Phoenix that would have seen the first husband (Tommy Johnson Jr. in Funny Car) and wife win in NHRA history.
"What a way to honor my dad (Robert)," said Fuller. "He's my best friend."
Fuller called his dad prior to the final against Dixon, with his dad giving him a pep talk from Denver, where he was entered in a divisional race.
Fuller credited veteran crew chief Lee Beard for preparing the car for the hot, humid afternoon which saw temperatures in the low 90s.
"We were hoping for hot weather," said Fuller, a Las Vegas resident. "Lee Beard will tell you that he prevails when the track conditions are the trickiest."
Beard's preparation enabled Fuller to beat Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta -- who was the hottest driver in the class over the last several races -- and top qualifier Brandon Bernstein to reach the final on the famed quarter-mile.
Fuller was first off the starting line against Dixon and outran the two-time series champion, 4.692 seconds/314.24 miles per hour to Dixon's 4.825/299.73.
Capps, who went out early last week at Chicago and saw his points lead fall to 48 points over 13-time champion John Force, is back in control of the division.
The driver of the Don Schumacher-owned Brut Dodge Charger won his series-high fifth race of the season in just 11 races.
K&N FILTERS SUPERNATIONALS
Top Fuel winner: Rod Fuller, Las Vegas, Valvoline/84 Lumber dragster
Funny Car winner: Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Brut Dodge Charger
Pro Stock winner: Jason Line, Terrell, N.C., Summit Racing, Pontiac GTO
Pro Stock Motorcycle winner: Matt Smith, King, N.C., Torco/Skull Gear Buell T-twin
Next race: June 25, O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, Madison, Ill.
