Gainesville: Larry Dixon Saturday summary

DIXON SAVES BEST FOR LAST, QUALIFIES SECOND AT GATORNATIONALS GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18, 2006) - Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon made his best qualifying pass of the weekend on his fourth and final attempt as the 38-time NHRA ...

DIXON SAVES BEST FOR LAST, QUALIFIES SECOND AT GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18, 2006) - Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon made his best qualifying pass of the weekend on his fourth and final attempt as the 38-time NHRA winner blasted his Miller Lite dragster to a performance of 4.544 seconds on Saturday afternoon at Gainesville Raceway.

Entering the final qualifying session in the No. 8 qualifying position, Dixon used a tune-up from first-year tuner Don Bender to claim the No. 2 qualifying spot with a 4.544 second, 327.03 mph pass. Prior to recording the 4.544-second elapsed time, Dixon's best E.T. was a 4.618-second pass, which he carded on his second qualifying attempt. The Miller Lite rail overpowered the warm Gainesville Raceway track on Saturday's first qualifying run. This is the second consecutive event where Dixon has qualified in the No. 2 slot.

"I was happy that we made a good run," Dixon said. "Donnie (Bender) made some adjustments and the car responded the way he wanted it to. So, I was thrilled for him."

The three-time Gatornationals winner will face No. 15 qualifier Doug Foley in the opening round of eliminations. Dixon and Foley have yet to meet in NHRA competition.