Bristol: Dixon uninjured in crash, qualifies second

From The Snake Pit:
Dixon walks away from crash with the No.2 qualifying position at the 3rd Annual Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals.

BRISTON, TENN. (April 26)- Larry Dixon walked away from a crash in the Miller Lite Dragster during the 4th round of qualifying, but still held on to his No. 2 qualifying position. During the first pass of the day, Dixon produced a lap time of 4.580 seconds (321.35 mph). Despite the win and the successful time of 4.532 (323.73 mph), it was the 4th qualifying run that handed the team the immense challenge to come.

Dixon made it to the finish line first, however, immediately after, the dragster cut a tire, slamming into the wall, sliding across both lanes, and trailing a shower of sparks.

"You get the parachute out, and try to get the car safely to a stop," Dixon said. "When it cut a tire, it took down the wind stand, bending it in half. The rear end came out of the car, which is what the parachutes are connected to. And when you lose that, you lose all of your stopping ability; you don't have brakes and you don't have a parachute, you're just sliding at that point."

"We'll do whatever it takes to get ready for tomorrow," assured Dixon. Meaning the crew will work through the night, building the new spare car. The only piece they cared to salvaged from the old car? The seatbelt.

"I feel safer in this car going 330 mph than I do driving to the racetrack going 55mph in a street car," Dixon said. "Because in this car, I'm prepared to crash."

The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points leader will face Don Lampus Jr. (No.15) in tomorrow's first round of final eliminations. This marks the 17th time Dixon and the Miller Lite dragster have qualified for action on Sunday.

Catch ESPN2 tomorrow, Sunday April 27th on NHRA 2Day, airing at 9:30-10PM. Followed by early round eliminations from 6-7PM and late round eliminations from 12:30-2:30AM.

-www.snakeracing.com