Gainesville: Larry Dixon Saturday summary

DIXON USES CONSISTENT TUNE-UP FOR STRONG QUALIFYING EFFORT; WILL START FIFTH AT GATORNATIONALS GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19, 2005) -- Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon powered his Miller Lite dragster to the fifth qualifying position ...

DIXON USES CONSISTENT TUNE-UP FOR STRONG QUALIFYING EFFORT; WILL START FIFTH AT GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19, 2005) -- Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon powered his Miller Lite dragster to the fifth qualifying position Saturday at Gainesville Raceway when the 35-time NHRA winner posted a qualifying-best run of 4.525 seconds at 325.61 mph.

Don Prudhomme's Miller Lite/Ameriquest racing team, led by veteran crew chief Dick LaHaie, posted some of the most consistent passes during qualifying at the historic drag strip. Dixon, who entered the day qualified fourth, opened qualifying with a run of 4.561 seconds at 324.09 mph under sunny conditions much different than what the teams faced on Friday to open the race weekend in Florida. Dixon, a three-time Gatornationals winner, saved his best for last as the Miller Lite/Lucas Oil rail stopped the timers in 4.525 at 325.61 on its fourth and final qualifying effort of the weekend.

"I'm very happy with how qualifying went," Dixon said. "My goal entering a race is to always qualify in the top five. Today, we were the second quickest of the first session and the third quickest of the last session, and we'll face conditions very similar to that tomorrow. I like everything about how Saturday went."

Dixon will face off against No. 12 qualifier David Baca in the opening round of eliminations at 11 a.m. (ET) on Sunday morning in the Sunshine State. Dixon, who earned his Top Fuel license at the Florida track in 1994, aims for his fourth career win in 11 tries at Gainesville Raceway.