Larry Dixon admittedly hasn’t been much of a point counter; that is, until this season's Countdown to 1 started. In qualifying at the NHRA Midsouth Nationals, Dixon led all four sessions and picked up an extra 12 points to show for his dominance.

“We’ll take them,” said Dixon, who meets Memphis hometown racer Clay Millican in the first round. “We need them. You have to scrap for every point you get.”

Because of his dominance in the first two days of the event, Dixon knocked off 11 of the 27 point edge Tony Schumacher held over him heading into the event. Schumacher gained one point from having the third quickest time in Friday’s evening session.

“[Getting the points] has changed our approach,” Dixon said. “Four sessions per race, six races, 24 sessions, three points per session … there’s almost a race worth of points on the table. Someone is going to get them. You hate to lose [the championship] by not at least going after them.

“That’s what the team is shooting for. If we’re getting them, someone else isn’t.”

The fact they are racking up the qualifying points is a clear indication everyone is doing their job and doing it right.

Their last test told them all they needed to know headed into the final four events of the season.

“We used up our last test session after Charlotte,” Dixon said. “The test told us probably more of what not to do than what to do. That way when we came into Dallas and the other races we would be better prepared.”

Since the Charlotte test, the team has posted two No. 1 qualifiers and a runner-up finish … Dixon and company are prepared to grab every possible point in pursuit of the championship.

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