NHRA AT JOLIET

Compiled from press releases by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis

After sporadic rain all weekend, Sunday’s final eliminations of the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill., proved to be an all-day marathon, as racers and fans had to endure a five-hour rain delay between the second round and semifinals, with the race concluding late in the evening.

TOP FUEL

Larry Dixon drove his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to the top of the field and posted
a track record of 3.814 seconds at 317.42 mph during qualifying. It was Dixon’s
third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 43rd of his career.

In the final round Dixon drove his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a 3.823-second run
at 323.12 mph past Tony Schumacher to earn his fifth win of the season
and 53rd of his career.

“Obviously this is big,” said Dixon. “Any time you win it is huge. The last couple of times we ran in the final, he has got the best of us. It was a long day, at the same time, not as long as Friday and it was definitely worth the wait. This track is the gold standard when sun is off of it. It is awesome. And a final round under the lights is so cool. This is what I grew up on. My dad raced a bunch of times at Orange County and Lions at night. Our sport is cool at night. I wish we raced through the summer on Saturday nights.”