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Story by Dwight Drum
Photos by Gary Larsen
Larry Dixon's hometown is the world center for motorsports, heartland of the USA, Indianapolis, Indiana. His Top Fuel dragster is sponsored by Miller Lite Racing, a team backed by a popular American beverage that also has its own 'time'. Team owner Dan 'The Snake' Prudhomme is a legendary driver with many fast times to his credit, an owner who also fuels two Funny Cars under the Skoal Racing banner. Add seasoned technology to this racing team with the mind of Dick Lahaie, legendary crew chief, and you have a team with racing roots deep in any fast track.
Larry Dixon lives in the center of racing, races for a national sponsor, works for an icon owner who employs an icon crew chief. All these big elements add up to big results. Larry Dixon is a competitor, a driver, a winner, and a person. Get to know Larry's thoughts about racing and himself as I ask questions of this Top Fuel competitor.
DOB: October 23, 1966
Birth Town: North Hollywood, California
Home Town: Indianapolis, Indiana
"Commitment."
What's most important?"No."
Who are your Heroes? (If you have heroes.)"Don Garlits."
Are you pleased with life?"Absolutely."
What could please you more?"I feel blessed right now."
When driving a car, do you always wear a seatbelt?"Yes."
Is racing your full-time occupation?"Yes."
Do you have time for a hobby?"No."
What vehicle do you drive on the street?"Chevy Tahoe."
Do you work out?"Yes."
Name one other sport, you feel you could master or be competitive at?""Tennis."
If you could make one part of your body stronger, what part would that be?"My mind."
"No."
Do you have a special diet?"No."
What quality do you admire most in other people?"Honesty."
When frustrated. What do you do first?"Other…Evaluate the situation then react."
"I shut everything out when I'm in the cockpit."
What are (or have been) your scariest moments?"Being with my wife when she went through labor."
What do you do to unwind?"I have a Miller Lite."
If you could change one thing about drag racing, what would you change?"I'd probably make it easier for guys to move up the ranks."
When asleep do you ever dream you are racing?"No, but I dreamed last night I was at Indy and 'The Snake' (Don Prudhomme) was driving again."
Where do you find the most peace in your life?"At the race track."
You're a skilled racer… On public highways, what's different about you and other drivers?"Looking far enough down the road. Too many people look right in front of them when driving."
What do you worry about the most?"Being able to take care of my family."
Can you describe the G-forces at the tree…the launch?"It's like being strapped to a rocket with your rear end three inches off the track."
"The faster you go the smoother it is. The smoother it is, the faster it is."
Most people learn something from mistakes. What mistake caused you to learn the most?"When you make a mistake you learn from it. If you make the same mistake twice, you're not thinking."
Who means the most to you?"My wife and son. My family."
If you could acquire three traits from three people, what traits would you take from whom?"I'd like Don Prudhomme's dedication, John Force's ability to stay two steps ahead of the competition, and Kenny Bernstein's professionalism."
How did you get started in drag racing?"My dad drove Top Fuel in the sixties and seventies. I grew up in it."
What do you fear?"Harm to my family."
What drives you? What's different about you?"I don't know. Love of the sport of drag racing. I love it."
In a few words, how would you sum up…yourself?"I'm a caring person. I put friends and family ahead of me."
Additional Comments?"I was a kid growing up in racing. I dreamed about driving Top Fuel, getting the opportunity. I feel very fortunate that I get paid to do something I absolutely love. I never dread going to work."
Spend an hour or so with Larry Dixon, when he's not in a Top Fuel dragster or being interviewed after a win, and you notice a remarkable calm. He gets excited about winning, as any driver should, but when I sat in his lounge asking questions a different Larry emerged. We respect this driver because he is as dedicated as any to charge a tree light. I found one word for Larry that I hope follows him throughout his racing career, and it's a word many racers would want as a frequent tag on results. Gary and I agreed, Larry Dixon is…
