Chicago: Larry Dixon explodes, Qualifies No. 8

JOLIET, IL (June 2) -Larry Dixon and the Don Prudhomme-owned Miller Lite Dragster used a lap of 4.648 seconds at 311.34 mph to qualify in the No. 8 position at the Third Annual Prestone Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Dixon's first attempt down the track, netting the 4.648 elapsed time, would prove to be his only full pass during the first day of qualifying. On Dixon's second run, the Miller Lite car left the starting line as usual for the first second before an electrical problem caused the motor to explode, as fuel burned all around the engine. Dixon quickly pulled the car off to the side of the track and climbed out of the car unharmed.

The final two qualifying sessions of the weekend resume Saturday and are scheduled to be run at 12:15 and 4 PM CST. Sunday's elimination round begins at 10 AM and will be televised by ESPN 2 at 5 PM EST.