It’s safe to suggest that Larry Dixon is one of the most talented Top Fuel drivers of the modern era, but as the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle series begins this weekend in Pomona, California, he’s without a ride.

Shock waves rolled through the drag racing community last fall when it was first announced that the Al-Anabi driver Del Worsham, fresh off clinching his first-ever NHRA title, was retiring to become the crew chief for Alexis DeJoria’s Toyota Funny Car.  Barely had those waves receded when the team announced that Larry Dixon would also be leaving the operation.  Unlike Worsham, however, it doesn’t appear as if this was Dixon’s choice, but with all parties involved declining to comment, we can only speculate.  After winning twice in 2011 and finishing in fourth place, this following a remarkable 2010 run during which Dixon won 12 times on his way to his third championship, it appears unlikely that he voluntarily left what appears to be one of the best driving gigs in drag racing.

At this point it seems that Dixon, despite his bright and outgoing personality and his unquestioned driving skills, may be one of those guys who, no matter what, just can’t get no respect (as the late Rodney Dangerfield might have said it).  Consider this:  After winning a stunning 12 times in one year, Dixon was snubbed by the ESPN-backed ESPY Awards.  Consider this:  After amassing a record of 62 NHRA victories, placing him seventh on the overall list of winners and second on the Top Fuel list, his phone didn’t ring with a call from a single team owner seeking a winner.  Consider this:  Despite everything, Larry Dixon, Jr. will emerge from this experience tougher, stronger and more determined than ever to continue etching his name into the record books.

CompetitionPlus:  It’s the first day of the Winternationals, and you’re sitting home.  How do you feel about that?

The Three-time Champ Opens Up About The Past – And The Future

More than some who spend their lives on the road, Larry Dixon’s life revolves around his wife and children.It’s safe to suggest that Larry Dixon is one of the most talented Top Fuel drivers of the modern era, but as the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle series begins this weekend in Pomona, California, he’s without a ride.

Shock waves rolled through the drag racing community last fall when it was first announced that the Al-Anabi driver Del Worsham, fresh off clinching his first-ever NHRA title, was retiring to become the crew chief for Alexis DeJoria’s Toyota Funny Car.  Barely had those waves receded when the team announced that Larry Dixon would also be leaving the operation.  Unlike Worsham, however, it doesn’t appear as if this was Dixon’s choice, but with all parties involved declining to comment, we can only speculate.  After winning twice in 2011 and finishing in fourth place, this following a remarkable 2010 run during which Dixon won 12 times on his way to his third championship, it appears unlikely that he voluntarily left what appears to be one of the best driving gigs in drag racing.

At this point it seems that Dixon, despite his bright and outgoing personality and his unquestioned driving skills, may be one of those guys who, no matter what, just can’t get no respect (as the late Rodney Dangerfield might have said it).  Consider this:  After winning a stunning 12 times in one year, Dixon was snubbed by the ESPN-backed ESPY Awards.  Consider this:  After amassing a record of 62 NHRA victories, placing him seventh on the overall list of winners and second on the Top Fuel list, his phone didn’t ring with a call from a single team owner seeking a winner.  Consider this:  Despite everything, Larry Dixon, Jr. will emerge from this experience tougher, stronger and more determined than ever to continue etching his name into the record books.

At the U.S. Nationals in 2007, where Dixon lost a heartbreaker to Tony Schumacher.CompetitionPlus:  It’s the first day of the Winternationals, and you’re sitting home.  How do you feel about that?

Larry Dixon:  It feels a little weird, because this is the first time since 1986 that I haven’t been there for the first day of qualifying.  

CP:  Is that something you’re having trouble dealing with, or will you get by it okay?

Dixon:  Well, I’ll be in Pomona on Friday, but regardless, it’s certainly different.

CP:  Why are you going to the Winternationals?  Is it to watch, maintain contacts, or meet with potential backers?

Dixon:  All of the above.  I’m still a fan, and I love the sport, first and foremost.  I definitely want to stay in contact with everyone, and I actually have a couple of meetings set up with a couple of different groups while I’m out there.

I’ll also be doing a little bit of TV stuff on Saturday and Sunday, so I’ll be busy.

CP:  What’s the purpose of those meetings, and what do you hope the end result will be?

Dixon had a successful, but increasingly frustrating relationship with former mentor Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, a relationship that ended badly when Dixon decided to leave.Dixon:  The purpose of the meetings is to ultimately secure a partnership so I can get back out on the race-track.  Whether that’s later this year remains to be seen, but the ultimate deal would be to start off next season and run the full year.

CP:  When you say “partnership,” describe what you mean by that.  Would you be an active owner of the race team?

Dixon:  That would be the perfect world for Larry Dixon Racing.  It’s a little too early to be talking in that direction, though.  The first goal is to get back out on the race-track and compete.  I just don’t know at what (level) that might be yet.

CP:  How many more years would you like to compete as a driver?

Dixon:  Gosh, I still love what I do.  I thought that 50 (years old) was the number for me, but the last few years I had such fun, I’m not sure what the number is.  At the end of 2010, if I’d’ have been 50 then (Dixon is 46. – Ed.) I’m not sure that I would have been ready to quit.  I just don’t want to get out of the car.  It’s probably no different than Kenny (Bernstein) was in ’01, with him saying that if he won the championship he’d be done.  Well, he did win the championship, and he was far from done.

When you’re out there competing, and you’re contributing, it’s a great, great feeling.  And why should you quit?

CP:  At last year’s Finals award-winning photojournalist Will Lester and Gary Nastase zeroed in on Dixon for what might have been their final candids of the three time champ.Let’s back up to your separation from Alan Johnson and Sheik Kahlid.  At one point did you begin to realize that you weren’t going to be back?

Dixon:  I don’t even know if that’s something I can go into.

CP:  Are you still receiving financial compensation from Johnson or the Sheik?  Are you under a confidentiality agreement that precludes your talking about this?

Dixon:  We agreed that the press release that they put out would say everything that needed to be said as far as the terms of the separation go, and I’m fine with that and I agreed to it.

The three years that I was there I had a blast and had a good time.  I enjoyed it, and now we’re all moving forward.

Editor’s Note:  Dixon initially signed a five year agreement with Al-Anabi.  Here, in its entirety, is the press release announcing Dixon’s departure, as it was distributed on December 12:

ALAN JOHNSON RACING, DRIVER LARRY DIXON AGREE TO MUTUAL SEPARATION
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind. - - Alan Johnson Racing and driver Larry Dixon have agreed to a mutual separation, it was announced today.  Alan Johnson Racing manages the two-car Top Fuel operation of the Al-Anabi Racing Team.

Dixon joined the Al-Anabi Racing team when it was founded in 2009.  He finished second, first and fourth in his three seasons at Al-Anabi Racing winning 19 races.  He is a three-time NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel champion. The reasons leading to this mutual decision are private team matters; no further information will be provided, and no interviews will be granted.

“Larry has been an integral member of Al-Anabi Racing for the past three seasons,” Alan Johnson Racing team owner and Al-Anabi Racing team manager Alan Johnson said.  “He was instrumental in our successes including winning our first NHRA Full Throttle championship in 2010. He represented Al-Anabi Racing, Full Throttle and the NHRA as a great champion.

“As difficult as some decisions can be, there are times when they become necessary but can be best for everyone involved. I am proud to have raced with Larry, and I have great respect for his driving ability. I know I speak for everyone at Al-Anabi Racing when I wish him all the best.”
“I enjoyed my three seasons driving the Al-Anabi Top Fuel car," Dixon said.  “We had a lot of wins and definitely the highlight was the NHRA Full Throttle Championship last year.  I have many fond memories of working with Alan, Jason and our crew, but I am anxious to see what the future has in store for me.  I want to thank Sheikh Khalid, Alan and everyone at AJR for my time there and wish them all the best.”

With driver Del Worsham’s retirement on Nov. 21, Al-Anabi Racing must now fill two driver’s seats as the team will field two Top Fuel cars for the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season. Additional announcements will be forthcoming.

Al-Anabi Racing operates out of multiple locations in both the United States and Qatar.  In the United States, the Brownsburg, Ind.-based operation is a two-car NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series team fielding entries in Top Fuel competition that is managed by Alan Johnson Racing.  At the forefront of this team is His Highness Sheik Khalid Al Thani’s goal to promote the domestic and international awareness of Motorsports in the nation of Qatar.  Alan Johnson is a 14-time NHRA national champion.  For additional information on the Al-Anabi Racing Team, please visit www.alanabiracing.com.
 
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No one’s earned more trophies for Sheik Kahlid than Larry Dixon, Jr.CP:  Do you still have a personal relationship with Alan Johnson at this point?

Dixon:  I don’t think my relationship with Alan is any different now than it was when I was there, working for him.

CP:  Since you’ve already acknowledged that it’s a little late to be trying to put something together for this year…

Dixon:  Yeah, especially when they’re getting ready to start warming their engines as we’re talking!

CP:  Let’s say the dream scenario takes place for you this weekend, and someone’s willing to put a car out there for you right now.  Is it practical to try and do that?

Dixon:  I guess that’s one of those bridges I’ll have to cross when I come to it.  The ultimate goal is to be able to go out there at full strength for 2013.  If you could do it earlier than that the big problem is that you’re only as good as the people you work with and the companies you work with.  If all parties were gung ho and you could find the right people, yeah I would absolutely love to do that and want to do that.

It still goes back to the people.  The people are everything.

CP:  How many people do you think it takes to run a race team?

Dixon:  For just what you do at the track, between the crew chiefs and mechanics, that’s 10 people right there.  And you’d need a few more back at the shop.

CP:  If you are able to put this together, is it safe to assume the team would be housed in on of your buildings in Brownsburg, Indiana?

Dixon:  Yeah, I’d try to make room for ‘em!  There’s plenty of space available in the town of Brownsburg.  That’s where all of the skilled help is, in Indiana.  That’s one of the great things that’s come out of all the teams moving there.  It’s like NASCAR being based in Charlotte.

The beauty is that people can actually have lives with their families.  They can move around and find the best position for themselves, but they’re still basically in the same town.  It becomes its own separate community, where everyone knows everyone else.  You can have your kids in school, and when you come in off the road you don’t have to fly somewhere else to see your family.  It’s all right there.

CP:  There’s been a lot of discussion in the last couple of years about the importance of having a multi-car team.  If’ you’re starting from ground zero, do you think you could be successful as a single car team?

Dixon:  I think you have to start out with one before you can have two!

But, last year (Bob) Vandergriff showed you can go out and win with just one car running full time.  Alan (Johnson) for that matter, for years and years, was successful with a single car entity.  Can you do it with one car?  Absolutely.  You can win races and championships with a single car.

CP:  Do you think having a racing partner makes it easier?

Dixon:  I see the benefit to that.  Just take the Schumacher teams, just the Top Fuel teams.  That talent, being able to bounce ideas of the other guys, and working together has produced a lot of winning.  You could switch body panels on those cars and you couldn’t tell the difference.  All of those cars run great.  When you’ve got people like Mike Green and Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler and Mark and Brian, that’s a lot of very talented people.  It definitely stepped up their game by being able to work together as a team.

CP:  What do you think it would take financially to put a one-car operation together?

Dixon:  From the conversations I’ve had with some team owners, the lock, stock and barrel price for getting everything ready to go out there, is something between one-and-a-half and two million dollars.  I know there are people who have spent a lot more than that to get started, and others who spent a lot less, so it all depends.

CP:  What about operating costs for a year?

Dixon:  I know there are people out there who say they need four or four-and-a-half million to do it, and there are people who are shutting down (their operations) because they’re not getting that kind of money to do it.  If you can run your operation by just “feeding” the “horse” that’s on the track, and by keeping your overhead down I think it can be done for substantially less.

CP:  If you had the $2M now, would you plunge it into a team, or would you wait until next season?

Dixon:  That’s what separates all of this from being a business, or being a hobby.  If you’re putting money in it, it’s a hobby.  If it’s taking care of itself it’s a business.  That’s why sponsorships are so important.

CP:  If someone were to call you at mid-season, or even earlier, and offer you a ride in something less than a top flight car, would you consider that?

Dixon:  I’d consider anything.  I haven’t shut the door on any opportunity.  But I’d have to seriously think about it.

I love this sport, and I want to stay in it for as long as I can.