NHRA
Brainerd: Larry Dixon preview
DIXON LOOKS FOR PAST SUCCESS AT B.I.R. TO CONTINUE FOR MILLER LITE TOP FUEL TEAM BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 8, 2005) -- The driving/tuning combination of Larry Dixon and Dick LaHaie has proven to be one of the more successful driver/tuner arrangements ...
Published: Aug 10, 2005, 4:12 PM
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DIXON LOOKS FOR PAST SUCCESS AT B.I.R. TO CONTINUE FOR MILLER LITE TOP FUEL TEAM
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 8, 2005) -- The driving/tuning combination of Larry Dixon and Dick LaHaie has proven to be one of the more successful driver/tuner arrangements in NHRA drag racing's rich history. Since being partnered by team owner Don "the Snake" Prudhomme late in the 1999 NHRA campaign, the Dixon/LaHaie tandem has gathered 30 wins, consecutive NHRA Top Fuel titles (2002-03) and 19 No. 1 qualifying positions.
As the 2005 NHRA schedule nears the backstretch with just eight races remaining on the 23-race circuit, Dixon has raced his Miller Lite dragster to two wins, three No. 1 qualifying awards and multiple track records as the veteran driver looks to earn a third NHRA championship in four seasons. The 37-time NHRA winner currently ranks third in the Top Fuel standings, just six rounds of competition from the top spot as the NHRA series heads to 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes' for the 24th annual Lucas Oil Nationals, August 11-14, at Brainerd International Raceway. Dixon has collected two wins (1999, 2001) in three final-round appearances at B.I.R., along with two career top qualifying positions (2001, 2003).
"I think that we have a very strong race car, but for one reason or another, it hasn't been as adjustable as it needs to be on race day," Dixon said. "That's something that Dick LaHaie and the entire Miller Lite team is working real hard on. Working with Dick for as long as I have, I'm sure it has his full attention. Half the battle with running a Top Fuel car is finding the power and the other half is getting the car to do what you want it to do at every given moment. He's real close to that and it wouldn't surprise me if we break through this weekend at Brainerd.
"For any team, when you roll into the race track, no one has an advantage over another team. For us as a team, we've had good success at Brainerd and have run well there in the past, so you hope that the things that you've learned in the past will carry over to this season. But, you still have to go down the race track and make the right calls."
While his career statistics are as decorated as any current driver in the Top Fuel ranks, Dixon is well aware that he cannot rely on past success to lead to additional trips to the winner's circle. However, with a LaHaie tune-up behind him, a triumph on race day would surprise very few.
DIXON DOES BRAINERD...
What do you like most about Brainerd International Raceway?
The camping-type atmosphere that you see at the track and town.
What is your favorite memory of Brainerd International Raceway?
When we doubled-up with the Funny Car team in 2001.
What is your favorite Brainerd-area restaurant?
Iven's On The Bay
When you hear 'Brainerd International Raceway' the first thing that comes to mind is?
The amount of success that we've had there in the past. When we won there in 1999, I won a Harley-Davidson from Miller.
-www.snakeracing.com
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