Guest Columnist Larry Dixon: Family, friendship strong in Dixon’s racing camp

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 | 9:03 a.m.

Editor's note: Larry Dixon, driver of the Miller Lite Don Prudhomme Top Fuel dragster, is writing a daily column exclusively for the Las Vegas Sun in conjunction with the second annual AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at LVMS.

NHRA schedule

Second annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

THURSDAY

7 a.m. Pit and spectator gates open

8 a.m. Sportsman qualifying/time trials

1 & 4 p.m. Comp Eliminator qualifying

7-8 p.m NHRA driver autograph session (ESPN Zone)

FRIDAY

7 a.m. Pit and spectator gates open

7:30 a.m. Sportsman eliminations

11 a.m. Comp Eliminator qualifying

3:45 p.m. Pro Mod qualifying

4:15 p.m. Pro Stock qualifying (PS Motorcycle/PS Car)

5 p.m. Nitro qualifying (Funny Car/Top Fuel Dragster)

6:45 p.m. Pro Mod qualifying

7:15 p.m. Pro Stock qualifying (PS Motorcycle/PS Car)

8 p.m. Nitro qualifying (Funny Car/Top Fuel Dragster)

SATURDAY

7 a.m. Pit and spectator gates open

7:30 a.m. Sportsman eliminations

10:45 a.m. Comp Eliminator - Round 1

11:15 a.m. Pro Stock qualifying (PS Motorcycle/PS Car)

Noon Nitro qualifying (Top Fuel Dragster/Funny Car)

1 p.m. Pro Mod qualifying

1:30 p.m. Comp Eliminator - Round 2

2:15 p.m. Pro Stock qualifying (PS Motorcycle/PS Car)

3 p.m. Nitro qualifying (Top Fuel Dragster/Funny Car)

4 p.m. Pro Mod qualifying SUNDAY

7 a.m. Pit and spectator gates open

10 a.m. Pre-race ceremonies

11 a.m. Final eliminations

Today is my birthday and I can't think of a better place to celebrate it than in Las Vegas. We're back in town this week for the AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals and our Miller Lite Snake Racing team is eager to get there.

Last year at this time we were battling for the Top Fuel championship and this year, fortunately, is no different. Only this time, we're bringing a 108-point lead. Our battle plan is simple: Qualify first and then try to win Sunday's first round of eliminations.

Fortunately, I have my ace in the hole in Dick LaHaie. Having a crew chief like Dick has been really good for me. I've not only gained a good friend but also somebody who has a lot of experience racing for the championship, having won the Top Fuel title himself as a driver in 1987. It has helped me get my head straight, recognizing what's important, what to worry about and what not to worry about.

Dick has really helped me mature as driver and I give him a ton of credit for that. I have the utmost respect for him and not just on the driving side; he's also awesome as a tuner. He has put everybody he has worked for in the winners' circle, which says an awful lot about him. There are not a lot of people who have done that, which goes right back to the respect I have for him.

And he goes to the racetrack hungry every single time.

We might have a weekend where well get a semi- or final-round deal and it was a good weekend for picking up points but he's still aggravated if he feels we left anything on the table. It's hard to find that in a person who has been doing that as long as he has. That why I think my team owner, Don "Snake" Prudhomme, and Dick get along real well. Their standards are very, very high.

When I started working for Don Prudhomme in 1988, I had no idea it would snowball to where we are now. If you're on his team, he takes care of you. He has been everything to me as far as furthering my career.

I've been very lucky to be with a couple of great companies throughout my career. Even on the crew side of things, I've only worked for two sponsors, U.S. Tobacco and the Miller Brewing Company -- and that's going back to 1986. Miller Brewing is just a pleasure to work with. People ask me all the time if doing appearances gets old. I have to ask them back 'Are you serious?'

I've been grooming my whole life for this job and now I finally have it.

Larry Dixon, driver of the Miller Lite Don Prudhomme Top Fuel dragster, is writing a daily column exclusively for the Las Vegas Sun in conjunction with the second annual AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at LVMS.