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Motorsports

Dixon makes history in Top Fuel opener

POMONA, Calif. -- Larry Dixon opened the season by winning the Top Fuel event Sunday at the Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Dixon, coming off last year's championship season, became the first Top Fuel driver to repeat as a winner at the Winternationals. Dixon won the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday.

"This is huge," Dixon said after his 26th victory. "I thought about the voodoo at this track. More than 40 years of racing and no repeat winners at the Winternationals?

"This is a perfect way to start the season. I appreciate so much just how good this car is running."

In the final, Dixon turned in a 4.541-second run at a top speed of 322.04 mph to beat Cory McClenathan's 4.547 on the quarter-mile track.

Tony Pedregon and Warren Johnson won their respective categories.

Pedregon earned his 20th victory by beating Johnny Gray in the Funny Car final. Pedregon went 4.765 at 324.44 mph to take the victory against Gray's 4.912 at 313.66 mph.

Johnson earned his 89th victory in Pro Stock. Johnson went 6.788 at 204.01 mph to beat Allen Johnson's 6.802 at 204.73 mph.

PIONEER RETIRES: Shirley Muldowney, the first woman to earn a NHRA top fuel license and a three-time NHRA champion, announced her retirement.

She paved the way for three-time NHRA pro stock bike champ Angelina Savoie, top fuel driver Rhonda Hartman-Smith and even Indianapolis 500 competitors Lyn St. James and Sarah Fisher to earn viable seats in major motor sports competition.

"I did everything I wanted to do," she said. "I did it exactly the way I wanted to do it. It's a shame it can't go on for another 20 years."

Muldowney will cap her 32-year career by entering six events this season, including the Gatornationals March 13-16 in Gainesville.

She said she wanted to race a limited schedule this season to say farewell to her fans and friends.

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