Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Dixon leads Top Fuel race, but he’s uncomfortable

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Larry Dixon picked up his fifth NHRA Top Fuel victory of the season Monday at the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and extended his points lead over Kenny Bernstein to 45 with six races remaining.

But the driver of Don Prudhomme's Miller Lite dragster isn't interested in talking about the points race.

"You only count points when you're not winning." Dixon said. "There are six races left and we are only two rounds ahead of (Bernstein). It could flip-flop next week. We don't have a John Force (type) lead where you are 400 points ahead of the next guy; you have to win every week to stay ahead."

In fact, Dixon is taking a defensive approach to the final six races of the season despite his lead over Bernstein.

"Our backs are against the wall," he said. "It's not like we have this big, comfortable lead. We have got to work hard every single week. If Winston was cutting the (championship) checks this week, then that would be great, but they're not so we have got to do well for six more races."

Team owner Prudhomme agreed with his driver.

"It's great to see him win because what really matters is what is happening right now," Prudhomme said. "The Miller team fighting for a championship, the great quality of the car that he's driving ... that's what is important.

"Nobody's counting our wins, we just want to win the championship."

Bernstein, who lost to Dixon in one semifinal Monday, isn't about to concede the title to Dixon.

'Maybe we got knocked down but we'll get up," Bernstein said. "With six races left, the Bud King team is still in the middle of the dogfight. Tim (Richards, crew chief) and the team are committed to this championship battle and they'll make sure all the cannons are loaded when we pull into the pits for our next event at Reading (Pa.)."

"I'm going to do plenty more races with the NHRA, no question about it," the 69-year-old Garlits said. "I want to prove to the world that my mono-strut car, Swamp Rat 34, will work better as a Top Fuel car.

"I plan on teaming up with Clapshaw, putting his combo in the Swamp Rat, and racing again this year -- most likely in Pomona."

Using Clapshaw's "Spirit of Las Vegas" dragster, Garlits ran 4.720 seconds at 303.37 mph -- the first time in his storied career that he had made a pass at under five second and over 300 mph -- in the fourth round of qualifying Sunday in Indianapolis.

Force (Funny Car) and Bernstein (Top Fuel) were joined on the all-star team by fellow drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), Bob Panella Jr. (Pro Stock Truck) and Angelle Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

The magazine's readers, industry officials and members of the media select the team.

The Speedway will present NHRA "Wally" trophies -- named after NHRA founder Wally Parks -- to winners in the Import, Street Muscle and High School Eliminator categories on Friday. Spectator gates open at 6 p.m.

Saturday's show is the final points meet for the National Performance Center E.T. Bracket Racing Series. Current bracket points leaders include Chiney Mangru (Super Quick), Randy Holly (Pro), Richard Ariotti (Sportsman), John Irving (Street) and Gary Oaks (Motorcycle). Gates open at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, the Strip will host the NHRA Division 7 Junior Dragster Finals. Gates open at 9 a.m.