DIXON: FINDING THE GROOVE
Sat, 2009-03-14 08:01
Even for a seasoned driver like Larry Dixon, the more runs a driver makes the more in tune the driver 
gets with his car.
Dixon, in his third race as driver of the newly formed Alan Johnson Al Anabi team, already has a leg up on his second pole position. Clearly two out of three isn’t bad for the 43-time winner.
Dixon ran a 3.902 elapsed time at 310.20 miles per hour to qualify No. 1 during the first day of the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
“I am getting less coaching on the procedures of the car,” Dixon said. “I am in a routine now.”
One might find it hard to believe a driver of Dixon's caliber needs any kind of coaching. He’s quick to point out there’s always something to learn when you join a new team, as he did this season. Even for a seasoned driver like Larry Dixon, the more runs a driver makes the more in tune the drivergets with his car.
Dixon, in his third race as driver of the newly formed Alan Johnson Al Anabi team, already has a leg up on his second pole position. Clearly two out of three isn’t bad for the 43-time winner.
Dixon ran a 3.902 elapsed time at 310.20 miles per hour to qualify No. 1 during the first day of the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
“I am getting less coaching on the procedures of the car,” Dixon said. “I am in a routine now.”
One might find it hard to believe a driver of Dixon's caliber needs any kind of coaching. He’s quick to point out there’s always something to learn when you join a new team, as he did this season.
“If you want to be able to help the team you do whatever you can,” Dixon explained. “Obviously what they were doing last year as a group worked well. I think it’s more important that I fit in with them as opposed to them changing for me.
“I have a great working environment and this is a laid back group of guys. It’s fun to hang out with them.”
Dixon hopes they hang out on Saturday evening as the number one qualifier, although he doesn’t expect Friday’s run to hold for the duration. He expects Saturday’s runs to dip into the 3.80s with the right weather conditions.
“The first day is always slower here,” Dixon said. “On the second day the teams adapt better to it.”
Saturday’s forecast calls for a high temperature of 83 degree with increased cloudiness.
Friday’s atmospheric conditions were good, but the track wasn’t broken in enough for the team’s to take advantage of Mother Nature’s gift. The imbalance of the elements made the teams, including the Alan Johnson Al Anabi dragster take a more conservative approach.
“You had to calm the car down to get it down the track,” Dixon said. “We were real fortunate to get that .90 on the board. It keeps us in the top 12 and that’s always important.”
gets with his car. Dixon, in his third race as driver of the newly formed Alan Johnson Al Anabi team, already has a leg up on his second pole position. Clearly two out of three isn’t bad for the 43-time winner.
Dixon ran a 3.902 elapsed time at 310.20 miles per hour to qualify No. 1 during the first day of the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
“I am getting less coaching on the procedures of the car,” Dixon said. “I am in a routine now.”
One might find it hard to believe a driver of Dixon's caliber needs any kind of coaching. He’s quick to point out there’s always something to learn when you join a new team, as he did this season. Even for a seasoned driver like Larry Dixon, the more runs a driver makes the more in tune the driver
gets with his car. Dixon, in his third race as driver of the newly formed Alan Johnson Al Anabi team, already has a leg up on his second pole position. Clearly two out of three isn’t bad for the 43-time winner.
Dixon ran a 3.902 elapsed time at 310.20 miles per hour to qualify No. 1 during the first day of the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
“I am getting less coaching on the procedures of the car,” Dixon said. “I am in a routine now.”
One might find it hard to believe a driver of Dixon's caliber needs any kind of coaching. He’s quick to point out there’s always something to learn when you join a new team, as he did this season.
“If you want to be able to help the team you do whatever you can,” Dixon explained. “Obviously what they were doing last year as a group worked well. I think it’s more important that I fit in with them as opposed to them changing for me.
“I have a great working environment and this is a laid back group of guys. It’s fun to hang out with them.”
Dixon hopes they hang out on Saturday evening as the number one qualifier, although he doesn’t expect Friday’s run to hold for the duration. He expects Saturday’s runs to dip into the 3.80s with the right weather conditions.
“The first day is always slower here,” Dixon said. “On the second day the teams adapt better to it.”
Saturday’s forecast calls for a high temperature of 83 degree with increased cloudiness.
Friday’s atmospheric conditions were good, but the track wasn’t broken in enough for the team’s to take advantage of Mother Nature’s gift. The imbalance of the elements made the teams, including the Alan Johnson Al Anabi dragster take a more conservative approach.
“You had to calm the car down to get it down the track,” Dixon said. “We were real fortunate to get that .90 on the board. It keeps us in the top 12 and that’s always important.”
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