Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon of New Zealand wins the Big Machine Music City Indycars Grand Prix, 2022. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Scott Dixon won his first IndyCar series race in more than a year on what was a double record-breaking race for the New Zealand driver.
The Gallagher Grand Prix in Indianapolis was Dixon's record 319th consecutive start and his unmatched streak of seasons in which has claimed at least one win has now stretched to 19 years.
It also marked a 54th career victory for the New Zealander, which ranks second on the all-time wins list behind only AJ Foyt.
Dixon, climbs to second in the season standings and has a chance of catching leader Alex Palou with three races remaining.
Dixon's Chip Genassi Racing Honda spun out on lap one as the result of a multi-car incident.
The team rallied to gain 14 positions over the course of the race on an alternate strategy, taking the checkered flag as the "Biggest Movers" on the day.
"This one was very special, especially breaking the Iron Man record of 319 straight races. This was the way to do it," Dixon said.
"The competition in this series is tough and this is a testament to the team and what they bring to the table. We've had a very successful year and to get one with the No. 9 PNC Bank team feels very good."
Graham Rahal finished a season-best second in the 85-lap race, as his late charge to catch Dixon fell just 0.4779 of a second short.
Championship leader Alex Palou finished seventh in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda of Chip Ganassi Racing to hold a points gap of 101 over Dixon, who leapfrogged Josef Newgarden for second.
"Finishing the race today was important," Palou said. "A good result for the team with Scott winning the race today and a good result for us in the championship."
On Lap 66, Dixon led Rahal by 6.1866 seconds, with both drivers on Firestone alternate tires. But Rahal's fresher tires paid dividends, and he began to claw ground on Dixon.
"The only problem there toward the end I think on my out laps I pushed it too hard to kind of create that gap on Graham and unfortunately burned the tires up a little bit," Dixon said.
"It was a little sketchy at the end, but we tried to put on a show for everyone."
- RNZ