National Speed Sport News is reporting that Larry Dixon has been released by Bob Vandergriff Racing and is seeking another ride, a team management position, or a media position for the 2016 season. After the announcement in early December that Leah Pritchett would be joining the team, bringing a sponsor and running the full tour in the seat that Dixon had occupied in 2015 there were questions as to what his role at BVR would be. With an intact management team, talented crew chiefs, and a running operation many on the outside could not see where he “fit” in that program. Apparently last week he and the team parted ways.
We feel for Dixon because he was resurgent in his full-time return to the tour last year. With crew chief Mike Guger the team made six final rounds and for large chunks of the season his was the most consistent car in the large contingent of top fuelers that made attempts every week. Of course the signature moment from 2015 was the horrendous crash at Gainesville that he walked away from pretty well banged up. We witnessed that one first hand from the top end of the race track and it was like nothing we have ever seen before. Still Dixon trooped on and did not miss a single event in the aftermath of that catastrophe.
Here’s hoping Larry finds a gig and finds it quick.
Click here for the full story from National Speed Sport News
Larry needs a pro mod ride and go on street outlaws. He was seen at pri with chief and daddy Dave. Larry is a good guy and wish him the best.
The firing of Dixon proves that breasts are more important than talent and a proven past.
Wow, What a stupid statement. Were all your parents kids born brain dead?
This is not about a male/female thing as Leah Pritchett has been racing pretty much her entire life and has proven herself to be as good or better driver than many pro drivers out there. This is more about the state of the NHRA and its astronomically expensive Pro categories and the ridiculous mentality of the corporate sponsors of what sells these days. Unfortunately for Larry Dixon a young good looking female driver bringing major sponsorship dollars to the table is very appealing to a team owner and bonus…yes she is an incredibly talented driver too. I remember when Gary Densham lost his ride at the Force camp because a middle aged man wasn’t what would bring the big dollars in for sponsorship. Larry is just the latest example of the ever increasing cost to race with NHRA that has escalated out of control. When Qualified experienced Championship winning drivers can’t afford to drive or be hired to drive a car I think it’s time something has to change. I find it ridiculous to watch these machines that run on millions of dollars now and see what has become of professional drag racing it looks like more of a reality show than anything else. You want to see some awesome racing go to a divisional event and watch the Super Stock and Stock Eliminator classes run. Drivers that actually own, tune and service their own cars. Huge wheel standing really close racing with many vintage 60’s and 70’s vintage muscle cars and current factory race cars that people recognize not the new Funny Cars that look more like the Space Shuttle than a car. These guys work harder than any Top fuel driver and make pennies in comparison. Check out some Nostalgia events like The March Meet and the Hot Rod Reunion events or The American Nostalgia Racing Association and you’ll see people that race for the love of racing not to make some corporate executive happy.
Hey NHRA and Mr. corporate executive wake up! I for one have been racing and paying NHRA event/membership/Licensing fees since 1978.and I don’t like what I see. What happened to the vision of Wally Parks and what he started does anyone remember? I don’t think this is what he had intended
Wally Parks and what he started does anyone remember?
That is the old NHRA, this is the new and improved NHRA! Old news since Wally passed away.
Eric, so true and more. The NHRA cannot see what it has become and cannot remember what it once was. The Peter Principal in action where the most incompetent people are continuously promoted to their level of incompetency.
NHRA Top Fuel and Fuel funny car is just an exhibition now. It’s a good show to watch, but the cubic dollars have ruined the competition of it.
I still like to watch the fuel cars but consider it just a big show.
Real drag racing competition is from Pro Stock down. PS is getting kinda iffy.
Phil is right on. The same 16 cars in TF and FC at every race. The corporate dollars are paramount. It’s hard to understand why a skillful, personable driver like Larry can’t get a sponsor. Just shows how tough it is.
I like one big race a year and the rest of the time I’ll go for the nostalgia events and The Stock and Super Stock events with Pro Mod if possible.
Nhra is monster trucks @ 1,000 feet.
Larry Dixon? Really?
Your sponsorship dollars at work. As others have said, it is silly what TF and FC habe become- there might as well be $100 bills flying out the headers on those cars. And for a driver to keep a ride is near impossible. How many TF cars are driven by their owners? Maybe that should be a rule- the owner must drive. Get rid of the multi car teams and go to partnerships, possibly with the owners driving.
get rid of multi-car teams !
I agree with much of the above. My opinion; the one change that they could do to make the racing better for both NHRA and NASCAR is to outlaw multi-car teams. The overall sponsorship money would be about the same but it would be spread out to many more single car teams. Less sharing of information and more competition. The times and speeds may go down but who cares.
Larry,
Call me this Sunday. By then I will have won the Power Ball and will need you to run my top fuel team in 2016.
Let’s have 20- or 30- car teams.
Reduce the racing distance to 150 feet.
Please try to get away as far as possible from actual racing for the sake of racing.
‘Street Outlaws’ needs to go away and stay there.
‘Staged’ has more than one meaning with these knuckleheads.
They have a power adder-a time machine.
They managed to set drag racing back 70 years and “car people” stereotypes at large back 80 years.
Pro Stock is now game-show contestant ready.
“WHO WANTS TO DRIVE A PRO STOCKER,KIDS?”
The days of hired drivers are over….. If you can’t bring money to the table your out. Very unfortunate indeed. I like Bob Vandergriff and LD and thought they were good for each other. I wonder how many talented drivers we will never see because they don’t have deep pockets or someone backing them….. Sorry guys or gals this seat is open to the highest bidder just like the rest of teams out there