The winner of 38 national events failed to visit winner's circle in 2006, the first time that has happened since early in his career in 1997. For Dixon, who drives for the legendary Don "Snake" Prudhomme and is one of NHRA's fiercest competitors, that didn't set well at all.
"Hey, it wasn't the greatest year," he said as he prepared for the May 18-20 O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. "But I knew going in it was going to take some time. I was realistic. It was our first year without (Dick) LaHaie and the first year with Donnie Bender calling the shots as crew chief.
"We qualified at all but one race and we were in the Shootout, we finished in the top 10 in points. At times we had a top five car last year and other times we weren't a top-five car and the points reflected that. It would have been nice if we could have gotten a win but it just didn't happen.
"Over the winter Donnie and Todd Smith, his assistant, changed the car around, changed the engine and clutch around and the car has really responded. We've run well since we started testing before the season started and it shows in where we are in the points right now."
Dixon comes into the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals fourth in the Top Fuel points with 396, 103 behind leader Rod Fuller (499) with Brandon Bernstein (476) and J.R. Todd (408) second and third, respectively. He's been to one final this year - in Gainesville - and he's coming to a track he truly loves, where he won the Top Fuel title in 2002.
"Bristol, to be honest with you... I just wish all the tracks were owned by Bruton Smith," said Dixon. "His group, led by Jeff Byrd, is just amazing. If the racers need something, they get it. If the fans need something, they get it. If the sponsors need something, they get it. It makes you feel great when you come there. It's like you're really wanted and that's a good feeling. Believe me, all the racers enjoy coming to Bristol. It's a first-class track and I wish we ran more races at Bruton's tracks."
If the 40-year-old driver has his way, the first win of the 2007 season will come in Thunder Valley.
"Hey, it's been a while since we won there and I'm ready to win again," he said. "I'm pretty excited about getting back to Bristol and I'm really excited about our season. I think with this being Donnie's second season - and we've gotten a pole and been to one final already - that we're just a win waiting to happen.
"Hopefully it'll happen at Bristol. We've got a heck of an opportunity to do it all this year - until we don't. If we can maintain this pace as the season goes along, we've got a legitimate shot to be in the mix for this thing at the end."
Gates open on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 a.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. The first rounds of qualifying for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals are Friday at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by rounds three and four at 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Final eliminations get under way at noon on Sunday.
Tickets are available for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Grandstand ticket pricing is as follows: Friday -- Sections A - D $25 Adult / $5 Junior; Sections E - U $30 Adult / $5 Junior; Thunder Terrace $30 Adult / $5 Junior, Saturday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior; Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior; Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Sunday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior, Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior. Weekend combos are: Sections A - D $85 Adult / $40 Junior, Sections E - U $110 Adult / $60 Junior, and Thunder Terrace $110 Adult / $60 Junior.
Thunder Valley Club tickets also are available and are $300 for adults and $100 for children for the weekend. Bruton's Club suite seats are available for the weekend for $425 per person.
To purchase tickets, please call the Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway ticket office at 423.989.6900 or visit www.bristoltix.com.
