Larry Dixon sees the silver lining in the dark clouds these days.

Dixon, the three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion, was just about the stage one of three Rapisarda Autosport International dragster in competition at the Australian Winter Nationals when a race official frantically motioned for the defending event champion to shut off his car.

Dixon was in the last pair of dragsters, in Saturday night's final session, as rain began to fall in the shutdown area of Willowbank Raceway, the popular Aussie drag strip located outside of Brisbane. Unfortunately for Dixon, this was the last time he'd get on the track for a chance to score the 50th anniversary title of the event.

Persistent rains forced the cancellation of the event.

Dixon shrugged his shoulder, his only chance to win 50th-anniversary events on two continents, went floating down the track with the nearly three inches of rain which fell up until the scheduled start time of 11 AM on Sunday.

Dixon has learned how to roll with these kinds of punches since losing his full-time ride in drag racing at the start of the 2016 season.

"My journey in life, first on the tour full-time for many years, first in crewing and then driving, and then you are not is not something that I consider as a downfall," Dixon admitted. "It's not a drawback, and in some ways, it's a blessing.

"You quickly realize the other things you have going on in life, such as your wife and kids. I know have time for travel basketball, travel soccer and some of the things I used never to get to be a part of, just get the pictures from it."

Even so in racing, Dixon revels in the opportunity to race venues outside of the mainstream.

"I really enjoy coming to Australia to race," Dixon said. "The biggest reason are the people. These fans have a lot of passion; they are really hardcore. They like to see the big numbers, and you enjoy getting to come here to perform for them."

Those big numbers, Dixon smiles and points out, all have to do with quarter-mile competition. A traditionalist at heart, Dixon calls the experience a full pull in drag racing.

"I raced more in my career to the quarter-mile than to 1,000 feet," Dixon said. "When 1000-foot came along [in the United States], I understood the urgency for the move. The things that needed to happen on the cars to make them safe, the things we needed to do for the facilities to bring them up to snuff. But then you get to come down here and air it out. You get to make a full pass, not a three-quarters run. It makes a difference, and you get to see that number on the board. You get to the see the fans when a big exciting number happens.

"In the beginning of time, when you'd see Car and Driver tests for a new car, it was to the quarter-mile, not 1000 foot times. That's what everyone relates to."

The experience for Dixon is priceless, and he credits team owner Santo Rapisardo for the opportunity. He considers Rapisardo to be the driving force in Australian Top Fuel racing, and a man who has given so much to ensure the long-term welfare of the sport Down Under.

Rapisarda's team race in memory of his fallen son, killed in an accident when he crashed his Top Fuel dragster on July 22, 1990, at Willowbank Raceway.

"Santo Rapisarda is a great man; he gave up a lot for this sport - he gave up his son," Dixon said. "He loves this sport, loves it a lot. He's got two sons and bringing them up in the sport. They are tuning their cars to championships. They get to come over to the States and race as well. They get to mix it up with the big boys. They do a really good job. If I would have had half of the knowledge they have at their age - they are going to do good things in this sport. It's neat to see him give. If it wasn't for Santo, Top Fuel drag racing here would be in a bad place. He fields three cars out here, not to dominate, but just to give back."

Dixon is grateful he's here to be a part of the show.

"Life takes you in crazy places, and you don't know what to expect," Dixon said. "You just have to enjoy the journey."

And for Dixon, it's been quite a ride.