‘How fun was that?’ Dixon wins in Detroit
New Zealander Scott Dixon put on a masterclass of tactical driving to win a chaotic Detroit Grand Prix and go top of the IndyCar championship standings.
Starting from fifth on the grid, the Chip Ganassi driver managed to steer clear of trouble in yesterday’s crash-littered race on the temporary street circuit, to become the first multiple winner of the season.
The six-time series champion now sits atop the standings, on 216 points, 18 clear of team-mate Alex Palou, while the 43-yearold’s 58th career victory takes him to within nine of the record 67 held by American AJ Foyt.
In a race which saw a rain shower after 35 of 100 laps, and most of the field swap to wet-weather tyres, Dixon inherited the lead under the seventh of eight cautions with 34 laps remaining, and with a trademark display of fine race-management, produced expert fuel-saving tactics to hold on to take victory without another pit stop.
“The team called it perfectly, we were on the right strategy,” he told NBC. “A lot of fun driving my Honda out here. And we won, man. How fun was that?
“You never are really sure how the transitions and strategies are going to fall. So stoked for everyone on the team.”
No driver has won in Detroit more than Dixon, with this his fourth triumph there. He finished nearly a second ahead of fast-finishing Marcus Ericsson, who was full of praise for the Kiwi’s strategy.
“Scott Dixon is the best ever at what he did today, saving the fuel,” the Swede said.
Fellow Kiwi Marcus Armstrong enjoyed a memorable day, too, recording a maiden Indy podium, placing third.
There were contrasting fortunes for the other New Zealander with Scott McLaughlin having qualified fourth but crashing while running second, finishing a lap down in 20th.
McLaughlin, who won in Alabama in April, is eighth in the championship, on 141 points, with Armstrong 13th on 116.
The next race is at Road America in Wisconsin next Monday (NZT).