It’s almost a crime when a three-time champion is forced to sit on the sidelines and watch all his buddies racing except him.
That was the case for three-time National Hot Rod Association champion (2002, 2003 and 2010) Larry Dixon heading into the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Having parted ways last July with Rapisarda Autosport International, Dixon was not picked up by another team for either the remainder of 2013 or the start of 2014.
But after the first five races of the 2014 season, Dixon will be back in the saddle in two weeks at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, Texas.
Dixon will drive a second dragster for Bob Vandergriff Jr. Racing. Vandergriff is defending Top Fuel winner at Houston.
“To say I’m thrilled to have BVR give me a shot to drive their second car would be an understatement,” Dixon said in an NHRA news release. “I appreciate the opportunity that BVR, Casedhole Solutions and Total Equipment And Service has shown me. It is a quality car with a talented group crewing on it. I’ll do everything I can on and off the track to help make this effort successful. Hopefully, an all BVR final is right around the corner.”
Dixon’s deal with Vandergriff is for a 10-race schedule over the remaining 18 races of the NHRA national event season.
“I’m excited to have Larry on board,” Vandergriff said. “He is a great driver and a family man who will fit in with our program perfectly.
“Anytime you can add a three-time champion to your program, it enhances the value proposition we are trying to build at BVR.”
Since he first earned his Top Fuel license in 1994, Dixon has won 62 races and reached the final round 108 times. He’s previously driven for Don Prudhomme, Al-Anabi Racing and Rapisarda Autosport.
Dixon’s car will be sponsored by Casedhole Solutions and Total Equipment and Service (T.E.A.S.).
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