Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
Pomona, Calif.
(February 5-10)

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Driver Profile

Larry Dixon Rapisarda Racing dragster

Pomona, pre-race:  Larry Dixon begins his Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing tenure this week after 20 years with Don Prudhomme Racing.  He finished second in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings recording his 14^th consecutive top-10 points finish.  He won two races in six final-round appearances last season. 

Dixon was the No. 2 qualifier at last year’s Winternationals.  He advanced to the semifinals where he lost to event winner Tony Schumacher.  Dixon won this event in 1998, 2002 and ’03.  He has never been the No. 1 qualifier at the Winternationals. 

Dixon won the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship in 2002 and ’03.  He is currently third on the NHRA’s all-time Top Fuel winner’s list with 43 victories.  Joe Amato is in second place with 52 wins; Tony Schumacher tops the list with 56 wins.  Dixon is 10^th on the NHRA’s all-time professional victories list.  He trails ninth-place Dave Schultz by two wins.  Dixon was the 1995 NHRA Rookie of the Year.

“I had a great time at Don Prudhomme Racing for the number of years that I was there, but it was time for a change.  Between crewing and driving, I was there for 20 years, so that’s half my life.  I have a great opportunity driving for Alan Johnson and his Al‑Anabi Racing team, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. 

“With what Alan Johnson has accomplished in the last five years – heck, the last 15 years - any driver would love to work with someone with his credentials. From the first time I talked to AJ about this team, what excited me is that he has a two-year, a five-year and even a 10-year plan. I’m flattered and honored that he wants me to be a part of it. Alan won 15 races at Don Schumacher Racing last year – that’s incredible, but what hooked me is his long-term planning as far as what he wants to do and where he wants to go. I want to ride his coat tails.

“At the Phoenix test, we made nine runs, running as quick as 3.81 seconds and as fast as 316 mph, my fastest speed at 1000 feet. This team has high standards; we ran quicker and faster than what I had previously, and they still want more. They want to step up their numbers so when we get to Pomona, we can be competitive.

“Now, Pomona is here, and it’s time to go racing for real. It’s game day. It’s like Summer vacation is over, and it’s time to go back to school. Most of the Top Fuel teams have had a change with the sponsor, owner, driver or crew chief so it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out at the end of the weekend; I just hope we’re a part of it.”  

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