MOTOR RACING / SHAV GLICK : Dixon Proving Prudhomme Right

Eyebrows were raised last winter when the retiring Don (Snake) Prudhomme, one of drag racing’s all-time great drivers, tabbed Larry Dixon, who had never driven a top-fuel dragster, as his replacement.

“He’s a kid who worked hard for the position,” Prudhomme said. “I wanted to give him first shot before I looked anyplace else.”

The skeptics persisted. They wanted to know how a totally untested driver could compete at the sport’s highest level against such veterans as Joe Amato, Eddie Hill and Scott Kalitta, the National Hot Rod Assn. champion.

Dixon responded by winning the Arizona Nationals in his second professional race, then, two races later, won the Gatornationals at Gainesville, Fla., to take the NHRA series lead.

“Did he rise to the occasion or not?” Prudhomme asks. “It’s been like giving a rookie a bat and he knocks the first pitch over the fence.

“He’s like [NASCAR driver] Jeff Gordon. He’s a natural. These things don’t just happen every day. We finished second [with Prudhomme driving] last year, and I knew we had a real good team. Wes Cerny as the crew chief and the whole crew is back with us. The final question was could Larry get the job done. I’d say he’s answered that. I’m overwhelmed by it all.”

Dixon, an unassuming young man from North Hills whose father won the Winternationals at Pomona 25 years ago, likes to deflect the spotlight to Prudhomme, Cerny and the Miller crew.

“Wes and the guys work hard to give me a race car capable of winning,” he said. “I want to do the best I can for them. We are a team and we all want to win.”

Dixon is in Englishtown, N.J., this week for the Mopar Nationals. He has a 14-point lead over Cory McClenathan of Irvine, 489-475. Mike Dunn, who drives Darrell Gwynn’s top fueler, is third with 446.

“Snake’s cars always ran well at Englishtown,” Dixon said. “It’s a good, fast track. I’m looking forward to it.”

Dixon and Prudhomme spent last weekend in Indianapolis, watching Bobby Rahal qualify his Indy car for the 500-mile race on May 28. Prudhomme maintains a racing garage in Indianapolis for Dixon’s cars between races.

“It was fun being with Rahal and his team,” Prudhomme said. “We do commercials together and we’re sort of like teammates, running for the same sponsor.”

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Motor Racing Notes

STOCK CARS--Late models, Grand American modifieds and pure stocks of NASCAR’s Winston Racing Series will compete tonight at Saugus Speedway. . . . Steve Rzesnowiecky celebrated Mother’s Day properly by dedicating his victory in the Toyota Sportsman Challenge to his mother and mother-in-law last Sunday at Willow Springs. It was the second series victory for the Las Vegas driver.

MOTOCROSS--The White Brothers world four-stroke championship will be held Sunday at Glen Helen Park in San Bernardino. It had been staged the past eight years at Perris Raceway. More than 400 riders are expected.

SPRINT CARS--Dean Thompson, three-time California Racing Assn. champion, is coming out of retirement after nine years to drive a new Drake-Shaver machine for his old rival, Bubby Jones. Thompson is expected to make his debut next Saturday at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix. . . . IMCA sprint cars will race tonight at Ventura Raceway.

HOSPITAL REPORT--Nissan driver Steve Millen, who suffered a broken neck and a skull fracture in an accident last month at Road Atlanta, has returned to his Newport Beach home. He will wear a steel halo device for about 12 weeks while his injuries heal.

MISCELLANY--Zak Brown of North Hollywood, unable to land a ride in an American series, will drive in the British Formula Three series with Mark Bailey Racing. The season opens on May 29 at Silverstone. . . . The Lucerne Valley Jam 250, an off-road race of La Rana Desert Racing, is scheduled for this weekend. It is 250 miles, run in four laps. . . . Indoor jet ski racing will continue tonight at the Long Beach Arena.