Memphis: Larry Dixon Friday summary

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2004) - Two-time defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon drove his Miller Lite dragster to the No. 4 qualifying position Friday at Memphis Motorsports Park after clocking a performance of 4.637 seconds at 314.34 mph.

Dixon, who has advanced to the final round at the Memphis event the past four seasons, powered his Dick LaHaie-tuned rail to the 4.637, 314.34 effort on Friday's second qualifying session. The 34-time NHRA winner opened qualifying with a run of 4.760 at 301.81, which placed him third following the first of four qualifying attempts.

"We're still working on the tune-up of the car," Dixon said. "We made some decent runs on Friday for being down on power because of dropped cylinders. On Saturday, we'll work on our first-round setup because it's a day run, then for the second pass, we'll try and improve our position."

Dixon aims to move up the Top Fuel ladder when qualifying continues at 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21. Dixon won the Memphis race in 2002.

ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights from the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at 10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Aug. 21 and show two hours of final eliminations coverage at 10 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Aug. 22.

-www.snakeracing.com