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Columbus: Larry Dixon eliminations summary
From The Snake Pit Larry Dixon wins three straight at National Trail Raceway at the 39TH annual Pontiac Nationals COLUMBUS, OH (June 15) - Defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon won his third consecutive title at the 39th Annual ...
Published: Jun 16, 2003, 9:44 PM
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From The Snake Pit
Larry Dixon wins three straight at National Trail Raceway at the 39TH annual Pontiac Nationals
COLUMBUS, OH (June 15) - Defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon won his third consecutive title at the 39th Annual Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals in Columbus, OH. Dixon drove the Miller Lite dragster to a 4.655-second run at a speed of 313.58 mph, and in the process broke two track records. Dixon becomes the new track speed record holder at 326.32 mph and broke a record older than him becoming the first driver in 39 years to win three straight at National Trail Raceway.
"I think it's a big deal, just the history of this track," said Dixon. "Just being a kid reading about Garlits racing Shirley, there's a lot of history here. That means a lot to me to do well at these types of tracks, I think there's a lot of prestige."
For the first round of Sunday eliminations, crew chief Dick LaHaie put forth his basic setup, which produced not so basic numbers. Dixon and the Don Prudhomme dragster went against No.14 qualifier Bruce Litton. Litton's speed of 306.26 mph (4.650 ET) was no match for Dixon's remarkable 4.535-second run at a record setting 326.32 mph, establishing the new track speed record.
Dixon last saw No. 6 qualifier Cory McClenathan in the semifinals at Route 66 in Chicago. Dixon defeated McClenathan in Chicago and was eager to do the same in round two today. Driving till the win light, the Miller Lite dragster gained the win and a ticket to the semifinals. Dixon ran a 4.761-second lap (286.01 mph) over McClenathan's 4.887 ET (256.55 mph).
Semifinal action was also reminiscent of Route 66, which paired Dixon against Tony Schumacher in the finals. However, a rematch would come one round earlier with Dixon gaining the win with a time of 4.597 ET (316.67 mph), defeating Schumacher's time of 4.719 ET (283.91 mph).
This marks the seventh trip to the finals in just ten races for the Don Prudhomme dragster and the second match up this year against Darrell Russell in the finals (W-Atlanta). Russell smoked the tires early and Dixon drove to his 30th career win, defeating Russell's 11.250 ET (91.96 mph) with a time of 4.655-seconds at 313.58 mph.
"The secret to Dick LaHaie is too have him on your team," answered Dixon to the press after the win. "Sometimes he makes it look really easy, and I know it's not, because if it was everybody would be able to win. He's very strong. Especially at this track, during the day when it's hot and humid, he runs well."
Crew chief Dick LaHaie remains undefeated in final round action at National Raceway, as both driver and crew chief.
Dixon sits 268 points ahead as the Top Fuel point's leader at 1,053 points. Catch final round action when it re-airs on June 22nd from 8-10:00PM (ET). In the meantime check out the team's newly designed website at www.snakeracing.com
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