If you wanted to pick a Top Fuel champion since 2002 the logical choice has been one of two drivers. At the final race of the decade, nothing has changed.

Larry Dixon entered this weekend’s Auto Club NHRA Finals trailing Tony Schumacher by one point. Two days into qualifications, Dixon leapfrogged Schumacher to overtake the lead by one point.

“This is all provisionally because it could all flip on Saturday,” Dixon cautioned. “There were two on the table yesterday and three today, so we got them both. Tomorrow there are six on the table, so you obviously want to try and get as much as you can each day.”

If you wanted to pick a Top Fuel champion since 2002 the logical choice has been one of two drivers. At the final race of the decade, nothing has changed.

Larry Dixon entered this weekend’s Auto Club NHRA Finals trailing Tony Schumacher by one point. Two days into qualifications, Dixon leapfrogged Schumacher to overtake the lead by one point.

“This is all provisionally because it could all flip on Saturday,” Dixon cautioned. “There were two on the table yesterday and three today, so we got them both. Tomorrow there are six on the table, so you obviously want to try and get as much as you can each day.”

Schumacher smoked the tires in the qualifying run alongside of Dixon and picked up no bonus points.

“We want to go into Sunday as a round up as opposed to a round down,” Dixon said.

Dixon pointed out that he’s feeling more fun than stress with the head-to-head battle.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “To come into the last race of the season and have a chance to win a championship is what you live for … unless you wrapped it up earlier. You definitely want a shot at it. I haven’t been in that position in a while.”

And for Dixon, he’s making the most of the opportunity.

“I’m enjoying it, this is fun,” Dixon said. “If you can’t have fun with this, you’re never going to have fun.”

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