Dixon Leads Team Valvoline in NHRA Race, Winning for the 5th Time in 2009
READING, Pa. -- Team Valvoline pilot Larry Dixon powered his way through the Top Fuel field Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway to win the Toyo Tire NHRA Nationals.
It was the fifth win of the season for Dixon, who is second in the Top Fuel driver standings. He defeated rookie Spencer Massey in the final round of eliminations. Dixon covered the 1,000-foot distance in 3.899 seconds at 306.05 miles per hour in his Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing dragster while Massey struck his tires early in the run.
It was the first career win for Dixon at Maple Grove Raceway
"This is such a historic racetrack, and I've always wanted to win here," said Dixon, a two-time NHRA Top Fuel season champion. "My dad won here, running points races back in his day. I just love coming to this track, and for one reason or another, we've just never been able to close the deal. I've been halfway down the track thinking we're going to win and then break an input shaft and lose, so just to see the win light come on, it was awesome."
NHRA Full Throttle Series
Aug. 23
Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, Pa.
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 2nd
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 11th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 6th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Next NHRA Event
Sept. 6 (Monday, Labor Day)
U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis
