Scott Dixon (#9 Chip Ganassi Racing) Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand driver Scott Dixon has finished second in the Indycars Championship after his Chip Ganassi team-mate Alex Palou sealed the title with a race to spare.
Palou won the penultimate race in Portland, meaning he couldn't be caught for the title.
That ended Dixon's hope for a seventh championship.
The 43 year old finished third today.
Dixon has finished second three times and third six times in his 21 years in Indycars.
This was Palou's second title after winning in 2021.
"I never thought that I would be an IndyCar champion, and to be a two-time IndyCar champion just feels amazing, like a dream," Palou said. "Cannot thank these guys and girls (on his team) enough. They gave me all the tools I needed to win."
The Spaniard has won five races this year, while Dixon managed to get to victory lane twice.
He became the first driver to seal the title with one race to spare since Sebastien Bourdais claimed Champ Car honors in 2007 in the penultimate race.
Chip Ganassi Racing won its 15th championship, second only to Team Penske's 17 titles in the history of the sport.
Fellow New Zealanders Scott McLaughlin was ninth today and Marcus Armstrong 19th.
The final round is at Laguna Seca in California next weekend.