Indianpolis: Larry Dixon Saturday summary

DIXON IMPROVES TO SIXTH SATURDAY AT INDY

CLERMONT, Ind. (Sept. 3, 2005) Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon improved his qualifying position Saturday at Indianapolis Raceway Park after driving his Miller Lite dragster to a 4.510-second elapsed time under the lights at the storied drag strip.

After racing to the No. 9 position with a 4.615-second effort Friday evening under the lights at I.R.P., Dixon drove the Miller Lite/Ameriquest rail to the second quickest run of Saturday's first qualifying session when he used a tune-up from crew chief Dick LaHaie to record a pass of 4.569 seconds at 324.83 mph.

"It was real nice to make a good solid run during the day with the same conditions that we'll face on race day," Dixon said. "That's very important. It was really good to be able to pick up from Friday night. Dick LaHaie and the crew were able to fix the problems and we picked up."

The 37-time NHRA winner and two-time U.S. Nationals champion (1995, 2001) then blasted the Miller Lite/Lucas Oil rail to its quickest run of the weekend when Dixon's dragster stopped the I.R.P. timers in 4.510 at 326.71, placing Dixon sixth in the Top Fuel order.

"Heading into Saturday's final session, the entire team was uncomfortable sitting in the No. 8 position, so to go out and pick up five hundredths (of-a-second) and move up to No. 6 was nice," Dixon said. "The top half of the field is pretty much set. I think the bottom half of the field will jockey for position on Sunday and the top half will work on a race day setup."

Dixon and the LaHaie-led race team look to improve their position in the order along with working on Monday's race day tune-up when Top Fuel qualifying resumes with sessions scheduled for 12:45 and 4:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at I.R.P.

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