Baytown: Larry Dixon Friday summary

From the Snake Pit:
Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon & Miller Lite Dragster qualify number 3 after first day at Houston Raceway Park.

HOUSTON, TX (April 11) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon and the Miller Lite Snake Racing Dragster used a lap of 4.527 seconds (326.32 mph) to claim the No. 3 position after the first day of qualifying Friday at the Pennzoil O'Reilly Spring Nationals.

Dixon followed up his impressive pass with a lap of 4.543 seconds (324.44 mph) to end the first day of qualifying action. Should his No. 3 position hold, it would mark the third time the defending NHRA POWERade champion has qualified among the top three in four races so far in the young 2003 season.

"Phenomenal track conditions and phenomenal air," commented Dixon. "If you throw everything at it, it'll stick, and the numbers will go up on the board, either record performances or near record. At this point I'm happy we qualified at third. Tomorrow (Saturday)if there's room for improvement, then we'll try it. And if not, then we'll work on our race day set up."

"I'm still not happy with our numbers, but Dick (LaHaie) wasn't happy with his number either, so we've both got work to do."

Television coverage of this weekend's qualifying will be seen on ESPN 2 on Saturday April 12, from 1:00-3:00A.M. (ET). Race day coverage can be seen Sunday, April 13, from 1:00-3:00A.M. ET (qualifying), and from 5:00-8:00 P.M. (eliminations) on ESPN2.

-www.snakeracing.com