NHRA
Commerce: Larry Dixon preview
DIXON EXCITED TO KICK-OFF FIRST THREE-RACE SWING ON 2005 NHRA SCHEDULE COMMERCE, Ga. (May 9, 2005) -- Larry Dixon likes Atlanta Dragway. The two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion (2002-03) has scored three of his 36 career wins at the Georgia track, and ...
Published: May 10, 2005, 4:10 AM
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DIXON EXCITED TO KICK-OFF FIRST THREE-RACE SWING ON 2005 NHRA SCHEDULE
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 9, 2005) -- Larry Dixon likes Atlanta Dragway. The two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion (2002-03) has scored three of his 36 career wins at the Georgia track, and while he has fared well in the Peach State, the veteran driver has learned not to rely on past success.
"I don't ever have that attitude that we've done well at a certain place so I can assume that we'll do well again," Dixon said. "I don't think like that. I go into each event knowing that with the team that we have that we have the capability of doing well no matter where it's at. My crew gives me a lot of confidence that we can win races. Even at places where we haven't won, I still have the confidence that we can go in and win the race."
Winning at Atlanta Dragway is something that Dixon and his Miller Lite team accomplished in 2002 and '03 on the way towards consecutive NHRA Top Fuel titles. And, through the first six races of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series campaign, Dixon and Co. have positioned themselves to compete for a third title in four seasons. The Miller Lite/Ameriquest crew enters the 25th running of the popular Southern Nationals less than four rounds of competition from leading drag racing's premier category.
Having earned his 36th career Top Fuel victory last month in Las Vegas, the 1995 NHRA Rookie of the Year vaulted himself from a seventh to third place ranking in the points chase. Needless to say, Dixon is energized to begin this grueling stretch of six races in seven weeks when the NHRA POWERade Series makes its annual spring appearance at Atlanta Dragway, May 12-15.
"I like everything that we've got going on with our Miller Lite team right now," Dixon said. "I go into every race with a positive outlook that we can always make up ground and do well.
"Provided that we don't see track conditions like we had in Bristol (Tenn.) a few weeks back, I think we have a pretty good race car that can go rounds heading into this part of the season. I'm looking forward to getting this stretch of races in. If you're running well, you can make up ground or you can just as easily lose ground if you're not running so good."
Dixon knows that you can't rely on past success to propel a team to victory, but if three wins and three semifinal appearances in Commerce are any indication, the Miller Lite/Lucas Oil team might be putting in a few extra hours on May 15, and that will be just fine with Dixon.
Dixon Does Atlanta...
What do you like most about Atlanta Dragway?
"We've won there a few times. You like running anywhere that you've done well at."
What is your favorite memory from Atlanta Dragway?
"I would have to say the 1996 final round when we beat Mike Dunn. Our car pulled a big wheelstand and slammed down really hard. It bent the front wheels and blew out the two front tires. I noticed that he had engine trouble and was coasting, so I got back on the throttle and drove around for the win. It was an exciting race."
What is your favorite Commerce-area restaurant?
"I always make sure to go to Stringer's Fish Camp."
What do you like most about the Commerce area?
"My wife (Allison) digs it because of the outlet stores near the track. I think the Atlanta race is pretty high on the wives list because of the shopping. Also, it's not far from Athens. We'll head up there and walk around by the college (University of Georgia) at least one night while we're in town."
When you hear 'Atlanta Dragway' the first thing that comes to mind is?
"It's closer to South Carolina than it is Atlanta."
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