Memphis: Larry Dixon Saturday summary

DIXON DRIVES MILLER LITE RAIL TO
NO. 2 QUALIFYING SPOT AT MEMPHIS

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2005) – Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon clocked three consistent passes during qualifying en route to claiming the No. 2 qualifying position Saturday at Memphis Motorsports Park after recording a qualifying-best run of 4.618-seconds.

The 37-time NHRA winner drove his Miller Lite/Ameriquest rail to consecutive solid runs on Friday at the scorching hot Memphis race finishing second in the 16-car order with a Friday-best run of 4.618 seconds. The Miller-backed dragster lost traction on Saturday's opening pass and Dixon coasted to a run of 5.344 at 187.76.

Dixon then used a tune-up from veteran tuner Dick LaHaie to power to the quickest run of Saturday's final two qualifying sessions when the Miller Lite/Lucas Oil dragster stopped the M.M.P. timers in 4.627 at 314.61 mph. Dixon's 314.61-mph speed was the top speed of the qualifying. This is the second time the Dixon has qualified second this season.

"On the first run, we had some new parts on the car," Dixon said. "We were trying to learn the personalities of the parts and the engine put a cylinder out and knocked a belt off. We came back and they made the necessary adjustments and made low E.T. of the day. For that particular session, we were good."

Dixon will match-up against No. 15 qualifier John Smith in the opening round of Top Fuel eliminations on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. (CT). Dixon is a two-time winner of the Memphis race (2002, '04). Dixon is 8-0 in his career versus Smith.

-www.snakeracing.com