Dallas: Larry Dixon preview

AS 2005 NHRA SEASON WINDS DOWN, DIXON EYES A FEW MORE CAREER MILESTONES

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 4, 2005) – Larry Dixon likes the Texas Motorplex. The 38-time NHRA winner and driver of Don Prudhomme's Miller Lite dragster has had plenty of fond memories from the first of drag racing's "Super Tracks." A three-time Motorplex finalist as a driver, Dixon scored the win at Billy Meyer's Texas facility in 2001. The second generation racer also visited the Texas Motorplex winner's circle three times as a member of Don Prudhomme's race crew (1989, '91 and '94).

The decorated racer looks to add to his impressive resume when the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series returns to the Metroplex to complete the Hurricane Rita-delayed O'Reilly Fall Nationals, Oct. 7-9, at the Texas Motorplex, near Dallas. The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 22-25.

"I'm going to go to Dallas and try and do well," Dixon said. "It's the same as what we've been doing for the last 20 races. You try to qualify and try to win rounds on race day, and if we do all of that then that puts us in position to be able to win another event. It's pretty basic."

The winningest active Top Fuel driver, Dixon enters the Dallas race just one victory shy of equaling drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein for second place on the all-time Top Fuel wins list with 39 career wins. The Miller Lite/Ameriquest dragster has advanced to the final round seven times this season and with a consistent Dick LaHaie tune-up behind him, Dixon should be one of the favorites to go rounds on race day.

"We didn't have the result that we wanted at Joliet (Ill.), but our car is going down the track on a consistent basis," Dixon said. "It's a predictable car. This car has been good since we brought it out going into Brainerd (Minn.) in August. I think I've got the best team behind me that I could ask for. My job is to get in the car and drive and try and bring back a win light."

Having amassed 397 career round wins in nearly 11 seasons behind the wheel of his Miller Lite/Lucas Oil rail, the two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion could reach another milestone if he advances to his 71st career final round on Sunday, 400 round wins. And a win light in the final round means that Dixon earned career win No. 39 and round win 401; milestones accomplished and resume a bit more adorned.

-www.snakeracing.com