Indy500: Scott Dixon does it again to keep IndyCar title hopes alive

Scott Dixon drives during an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Photo / AP

IndyCar ironman Scott Dixon capitalised on needing to make only three pit stops and kept his championship hopes alive in winning Sunday’s Bommarito 500.

The victory was the 55th of Dixon’s career and it came in his record extending 320th consecutive start. He set the record last week.

Dixon had held the lead for 82 laps before making his final pit stop on lap 196. With all of the cars on the lead lap having to pit after he made his final stop, the 43-year-old took the checkered flag, finishing more than 22 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Pato O’Ward.

Josef Newgarden started in the top spot with pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin serving a nine-position grid penalty, and led 101 of the first 104 laps.

However, his quest to become the first IndyCar driver to win six consecutive races on ovals since A.J. Foyt in 1964 came to an end when his No. 2 Honda made contact with the wall in turn two on the 211th lap.

Newgarden had won three consecutive races at World Wide Technology Raceway and four overall at the track.

McLaughlin earned his fifth career IndyCar pole ahead of the race but started in the No. 10 position due to his penalty. He finished fifth.

McLaughlin is one of six drivers who were penalized for unapproved use of a fifth engine this season.

Qualifying was pushed back to Sunday morning after rain kept drivers off the track until 6 p.m. Saturday night.

CHASE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Dixon’s victory pulled him to within 74 points of Chip Ganassi Racing teammate and IndyCar leader Palou with two races remaining. Dixon is Palou’s only challenger for the season title as Newgarden dropped to 125 points behind Palou falling out of championship contention.

UP NEXT

The IndyCar series returns to action Monday NZT, with the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland. Both of the final two races will be held on road courses.