Defending IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton is ready to get his title defense underway. After a pair of strong showings in the NHRA circuit, a pair of quarterfinal losses in Gainesville and Houston, the Indianapolis, Ind. driver will be looking to put his Lucas Oil sponsored rail into the Winner’s Circle at San Antonio Raceway for a second consecutive season. Litton defeated TJ Zizzo in the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals last season.

“We’re looking forward to getting this thing started,” Litton said of the 2008 IHRA season. “The first event is an eighth-mile race and our car has been very strong to the eighth so far this season. There is going to be a strong field at San Antonio Raceway this weekend, but if we can get down the track I think we’ll be in pretty good shape. I just have to make sure my lights are strong because in an eighth mile race there’s not a lot of time to make up for any mistakes.”

Last season Litton was strong out of the gate, putting himself into position where he was able to clinch the world championship at the World Finals in Rockingham. He knows how important it is to get out of the gate quickly.

“You have to be sharp early because you don’t want anyone to get out to a big lead in the points chase,” he said. “The first three races are critical, you have to be right there before the standings start to shake themselves out.”