Dixon Sets Fast Time At Pomona, Lucas Second on Friday

Toyota-sponsored drivers ran first and second in Friday’s NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel qualifying as Larry Dixon and Morgan Lucas ran the two fastest times on Friday with Dixon taking over the provisional top spot in qualifying for the 50th annual Winternationals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Dixon, who failed to qualify for last year’s Winternationals, ran a 3.795 at 317.95 mph, while Lucas had a 3.823-second run at a career-best 316.90 mph to move up to third in provisional qualifying. Dixon earned three bonus points for his effort, with Lucas registering his first two points of the season.

“That was a nice run there and it will stay in the show, so we’re going to race this year at the 50th Winternationals," said Dixon, a three-time Winternationals champion. “After last year, I’m thrilled about that. It was a nice, clean, straight run, not a lot to talk about. It was just nice. Hopefully, we can keep running good for the rest of the weekend."

Lucas’ strong effort was the second top-three run of the weekend for the Morgan Lucas Racing team after teammate Shawn Langdon ran second on Thursday.

"I can't tell you how good it feels to start the season with a car running as strong as this one," said Lucas. "We didn't have a car like this until several races into the schedule last year. This is where we want to be, running up front with the top teams every weekend."

NHRA Full Throttle Series qualifying concludes on Saturday with a pair of qualifying runs.