After several close calls, Fulks heads to Pomona

National Dragster, Nov 5, 2004

NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES FINALS (Div. 2) - At the 1999 NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals, Michael Fulks advanced to the final round of the Super Pro Bike class but came up short against his Moroso Motorsports Park teammate Bill Walters. When Fulks got the chance to redeem himself this year in Atlanta, he didn't let the opportunity pass him by.

Following his final-round win over Music City Raceway's Leonard Adams, Fulks, along with his wife Jodie, daughter Hailee, and son Dirk, is now making plans for a 2,600-mile trip to Pomona for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship.

"When my son was born nine months ago, I told him that I was going to win a track championship for him this year," said Fulks. "I kept that promise. Then, when we were racing in Atlanta, every round I kept telling him, 'We're going to California.' Everything worked in my favor, and I kept that promise, too."

Riding his '80 Kawasaki, Fulks had to survive several tough rounds before making his travel plans for the West Coast. In round three, Fulks cut his best light of the race, a .003, but Music City's Charles Ridge was right behind him with a .007. At the finish line, Fulks nosed ahead for the win by just two-thousandths of a second.

"We were handlebar to handlebar the whole way down," said Fulks. "I wasn't sure I was going to win it until I finally saw the win light come on."

Following a bye in the quarter-finals and an easy win in the semi's when Southeastern Int'l Dragway's Bill Jenkins red-lighted, Pulks prepared to face Adams in the final round. Adams had a slight lead at the start, but Fulks rallied for the win with a 6.63 on his 6.62 dial.

"I wasn't really nervous, but I was a little concerned because I hadn't run the left lane all day and that's where I ended up," said Fulks. "He Tree'd me a little, but he never got his front wheel past mine. I wasn't about to lift; I just stayed on it until the win light came on. I've always wanted to go to the West Coast, and now it's hard to believe that I've got a chance to race out there. My whole family is really looking forward to it."

Moroso Motorsports Park is known to have one of Division 2's most competitive motorcycle programs, which helps riders like Fulks hone their skills.

"We do have a tough bike program," said Fulks, who thanked Moroso track manager Jay Fairchild and Audio Elite for their support. "Over the last seven years, I think we've had five [Summit Racing Series] champions from our track. I'm just glad that I was able to win this time."