Larry Dixon Jr., a three-time Top Fuel champion and one of drag racing’s most accomplished drivers, is returning to competition in the United States this weekend. His entry at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Raceway in Columbus will mark his first U.S. start since 2017, adding both prestige and experience to the sanctioning body’s resurgent professional tour.
The appearance is more than just another race for Dixon. It represents a reconnection with American fans and a symbolic return to a facility where he was once a fixture during the NHRA Springnationals on Father’s Day weekends. For the IHRA, now staging its fourth professional event of the season, Dixon’s return offers a boost in credibility as it seeks to reestablish its presence in professional drag racing. It will also mark his first career IHRA event in competition, giving the series a driver with championship credentials stepping into its lineup for the first time.
“It’s neat, it kind of came about because we’re going to run the two-seater over there, and the folks were nice enough to let us run their car during their event, and so then it made sense to pack up both cars and bring them over,” Dixon said.
He has remained active internationally, particularly in Australia, where Santo Rapisarda’s team has given him consistent opportunities. But the return to U.S. soil has been a long time coming. His last competitive NHRA outing was in 2017 before an indefinite suspension over his two-seat dragster effectively ended his time with the series. He’s since been cleared to race NHRA but hasn’t as a driver. Since then, his Nitro x 2 program has operated in exhibitions and licensing runs, but not under NHRA sanction.
The opportunity to compete again rather than simply make exhibition or test runs is what drives Dixon’s latest appearance. He has been able to keep sharp through licensing runs, match races, and occasional testing opportunities in the United States.
“I was fortunate enough to be asked last week, Josh Hart couldn’t make the test at IRP, and so Ron and Jason and their team asked me if I would drive their car, so I got three laps in their car last week,” Dixon said. “So, that helps with the cobwebs, and then just going out there and staying on the gas, it’ll be fun to match up against somebody. Hopefully we qualify.”
The challenge of competing in today’s Top Fuel landscape remains familiar, even after years away. He believes the cars still deliver the same intensity he remembers from his championship seasons.
“I hope it does. How’s that?” Dixon said when asked if modern machines hit harder. “I ran as quick as a 3.74 in May, down in Australia, so… And then, I think the quickest I had gone was in Vandergriff’s car, ran a 3700. So, thinking, hoping it’s the same this week.”
Much of his recent driving has come in cars not built for him, and that has underscored the importance of comfort and familiarity.
“The car is obviously set up for Josh, and each driver’s got their own like everything where it’s at,” he said. “So, everything was very different than what I’m used to, but you’re sitting in a… It’s like sitting in a rental car and you can’t make any adjustments. You can still drive it, but it’s just not as comfortable.”
By contrast, his own car, which he has maintained for years, provides confidence.
“But this car here, I’ve had it for quite some time, and just stayed steady with all the NHRA updates, whether it’s safety or for other things,” Dixon said. “And so we’ve kept our car very current and so the opportunity presented itself to go there, and it’s really a big benefit being able to run the two-seater.”
What makes this weekend particularly meaningful is the competition itself. Dixon is not just making exhibition runs; he will be lining up against other drivers in eliminations, something he has not done in the U.S. since his NHRA suspension was lifted. The thought of winning is far from his thoughts.
“Oh, gosh. I’m so many runs away from having to worry about that,” Dixon said when asked about winning. “It’s definitely not on my radar today. I hope it’s on my radar Saturday night. How’s that?”
The chance to compete again is a reminder of why he pursued the sport in the first place. His championships, his 62 career wins, and his 678 elimination-round victories cement his place in drag racing history, but those numbers now take a back seat to the simple goal of strapping in and racing. He remains third amongst NHRA’s all-time Top Fuel winners.
“Some things, yes, and some things, no,” Dixon said when asked if it feels like a lifetime since he was racing regularly. “On the street with all the other teams, so you see all the guys all the time. Then with the two-seater, I run that car enough, and then the top fuel car, I’ve done enough match racing with it, and then licensing other guys in the car. So we’re going to NHRA races with it. So no, I don’t know what I’m… I’m not really thinking that much about it. How’s that?”
The IHRA has leaned on fan-friendly racers the likes of Scott Palmer, Del Worsham and Krista Baldwin as it rebuilds its program, and Dixon provides both name recognition and historical context. Columbus itself carries significance, as he collected multiple NHRA Springnationals wins at the same facility. The return offers both nostalgia for longtime fans and an opportunity to see a proven champion back in action.
The return of Larry Dixon to U.S. competition is more than a headline for the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series. It is a signal that the series can attract drivers with championship pedigrees while providing an outlet for veterans whose careers in other organizations ended under difficult circumstances.
“At the end of the day, I just want to line up, hit the throttle, and race somebody again,” Dixon said. “That’s what it’s always been about.”
