Hot off the NHRA U.S. Nationals in his adopted hometown of Indianapolis, three-time world champion Larry Dixon was announced on Monday as the pilot of the Dote Racing Top Fuel dragster at three of the season’s six remaining NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, beginning with this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at the zMax Dragway in Charlotte, N.C.

Dixon, the second winningest Top Fuel driver of all-time with 62 victories, has been out of a ride during the 2012 season after parting ways with Alan Johnson’s Al-Anabi Racing team — with whom he won the 2010 Top Fuel championship — at the conclusion of last season. In the interim, the popular driver has been working diligently to put together his own race team for 2013 and beyond. In addition to competing in Charlotte, Dixon will also drive for the Dote’s at St. Louis and Reading.

“We are thrilled to partner with a driver of Larry’s caliber for the remainder of our scheduled races,” said Connie Dote, co-owner of Dote Racing. “Larry is one of the best drivers of all time and we couldn’t be more excited to combine his talents with our car’s improving performance.”

The Dote Racing dragster, with Hillary Will at the controls, has qualified at all seven events the team has attended this season, including at Indianapolis, where Will made it in the show with a last-ditch 3.86 in the final session.

“I’m really happy the Dotes offered me this chance to drive their car,” Dixon said. “It’ll be fun to get out there and duke it out with everyone again. I’ve been working hard at putting my own team together and I know the Dotes are looking at what their next move will be in 2013. In the meantime, I’m happy to sub in for them. I feel like a free agent quarterback who just got the call to come start the next game.
 
“I’ve known Doug (Kuch, crew chief) for 25 years and it will be fun to work with him. Hopefully, they’ll get as much out of me driving for them as I will taking their car through these three races.”