As the die hard's know, Larry Dixon will compete in the next few NHRA events in the ride Hillary was vacated from this week . We will talk a bit more about that later, Below is a portion of her final goodbye. Full context is in ND.
Excerpts From her blog....
"I was released from my driving job last Sunday evening at the U.S. Nationals. At first I was upset, then sad and hurt, now I’m accepting and ready to move on. I am thankful I had the opportunity to race this year. I love driving, I love winning, and I love being a part of a team. I wish the Dote Racing team the best of luck. It is a safe and good-running car and I’m thankful I got to drive it. I’m even more thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know some of my former Dote teammates: Doug, Glen, Charlie, Steve, Chris, Brandon, Ryan, Tad, Justin, Steve B., and Whitey. Special thank you to one of our sponsors and a good friend of mine, Dave Stickland. He came to a number of our races, helped out where he could, and provided us with all the Adam’s Polishes we could ever need.
I have always asked myself whether my racing career was doing anything to contribute to the world in a positive way. In order for me to get a sense of fulfillment from my job, which I need, I have to know I’m giving something back. Eventually I realized that I was. I realized I could be an example to women and girls of all ages by showing that a woman can succeed in a male-dominated field. I made it my platform to help females see that they can succeed in any male-dominated field such as politics, law, construction, truck driving, flying, engineering, law enforcement, and the list goes on. I strongly believe that our country can only benefit from more women joining the work force and pursuing traditionally male-dominated careers. Then we can be an example to the rest of the world. I could write an entire book on this subject.
Now I will continue this platform and contribute to the world in a different way but not by way of being a race car driver. I am starting a new chapter and starting a new career. I feel like I have had a successful racing career. The opportunity to drive a car at over 330 mph is not something many people can say they have done. While this was awesome, racing gave me so much more than I could have imagined and I will forever be thankful.
Drag racing allowed me the chance to work with the late Scott Kalitta. I have great memories from him teaching me and mentoring me through my transition into Top Fuel. I still have the hand-written notes he gave me about how to do the warm-up procedure when I was first learning in 2005. One of my favorite wins was in Australia for the Scott Kalitta Memorial Race in 2008.
I loved driving for team owners Ken and Judy Black. They are terrific people, and I will be forever thankful that they gave me the opportunity they did.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work under the tutelage of crew chiefs, Bucky Austin, Dick LaHaie, Jim Oberhofer, and Tom Conway. They are all very smart and it was a privilege to work with them. Jim “O” never gave up on me when I was struggling as a rookie driver. He was always very encouraging.
I wouldn’t have even been on the Top Fuel radar if it hadn’t of been for Bucky Austin risking his reputation and helping our upstart, family-owned Top Alcohol team. We didn’t know what we were doing and didn’t even have the right tools, but he took us under his wing and taught us how to be a winning team and taught me how to be a winning driver. I will forever be grateful to him as well.
Racing allowed me the once-in-lifetime opportunity to do two goodwill tours in war zones where I met men and women risking their lives for our country on a daily basis. They were very inspiring and I came back a changed person. In the beginning of 2008, I went to Qatar and Afghanistan with former NASCAR drivers Ricky Craven, Randy LaJoie, and Jeff Fuller. Then in late 2008, I went to Kuwait and Iraq with race car drivers Jeff Bodine, Arie Luyendyk Jr., and Scott Wimmer. Both tours were life changing. I will forever remember the soldiers I met and the stories I heard.
Ken Black and Grandpa
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I loved racing with my family and getting to spend so much time with my Dad and Grandpa when I raced in the sportsman ranks. We have so many amazing memories that we talk about all the time. My Dad and Grandpa have always been so supportive of whatever I do. Before racing, it was gymnastics. They go above and beyond what most parents and grandparents would do. And sometimes they are just there to lend an ear. I can’t tell you how many times my Dad has been there for me on the other end of the phone while I vent my frustrations or concerns and sometimes shed some tears.
So my next move is to get a job that isn’t driving a race car. I have a lot of areas I’m interested in career-wise so it is time to pursue some of them. One of my good friends suggested I write a book about my life as a professional racer. I think it might be a good idea because it would be an entertaining read. Maybe now since I’m not traveling to Ohio every week and traveling to races I will have a better case to make for getting that dog I’ve been wanting. I will go to races as my job allows to support Matt, see my friends, and to support my sister who races super gas and my Dad who races Top Dragster.
In closing, I have nothing but gratitude for the opportunities I have had in racing. I am truly blessed and forever thankful for the support from my family, friends, and fans. Cheers to the next chapter". (From National Dragster