Monday, April 5, 2004 | 9:41 a.m.
Tony Schumacher has won three of the four NHRA Top Fuel races this season but he isn't ready to suggest that he has supplanted two-time defending champion Larry Dixon as the class of the category.
"All I know is he's got number one on the side of the car for a reason -- he kicked butt last year," Schumacher said of Dixon. "They were so far ahead (of everybody) last year ... and we found something and we leap-frogged a little bit but those guys are extremely smart and Dixon's a great driver.
"He's not out of it now ... and we're only four races (into the season). They'll be just fine. I'm sure it's tough on them -- they were the world champs two years in a row -- but I'm sure this gives them some motivation, being in the final."
Dixon, who advanced to his first final round of the season, said he hasn't lost confidence in himself or his team.
"In spite of our past performance early this year, I always feel confident driving this racecar with this racing team," Dixon said. "It's the same group of guys that won the last two Top Fuel championships.
"We won some rounds today and made up some ground and moved up in the points, so it's a start in the right direction."
Del Worsham rode a two-race winning streak into Las Vegas but was eliminated by Whit Bazemore in the first round of eliminations Sunday.
Burkart also scored the first victory in the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which made its debut this season.
"It's a fantastic feeling to be able to drive a Monte Carlo to its first victory in NHRA Funny Car competition," Burkart. "But the reality is that there will be many more wins for the new Chevrolet now that more and more drivers are taking delivery of their new racecars.
"To be among the drivers throughout all of motor sports who have won in a Chevrolet is truly a tremendous feeling of pride and accomplishment for myself and all of my Checker Schuck's Kragen teammates."
Okerman had just crossed the finish line in his race with Mike Blodgett Sr. when his car veered into the right lane, flipped on its side, hit the concrete guard wall and shot back into the left lane. Okerman's 1981 Camaro burst into flames as it came to rest against the left guard wall, but he was able to get out and walk to a waiting ambulance under his own power.
Okerman was transported to University Medical Center to receive treatment for burns on his hands.
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