Motorsport: Clash ruins Dixon's chance of win

Scott Dixon. Photo / Supplied

WATKINS GLEN - An early skirmish put a dent in Scott Dixon's winning hopes as he finished eighth here yesterday and dropped to third overall in the IndyCar series.

Points leader Will Power won the race with a commanding performance, giving Team Penske its first IndyCar Series win at the storied road course.

The complexion of the race changed early when Dixon and Helio Castroneves, who started second, made contact on the back straight heading up through the esses on lap seven.

The contact punctured the left rear tyre of Castroneves' No 3 Penske Honda and Dixon's front wing was damaged, forcing both to pit.

On different strategies for the rest of the race, they ran up front when the other cars made their first pit stops but could not challenge Power.

Dixon finished eighth, one spot in front of Castroneves and more than 12 seconds behind the winner.

Power increased his championship points lead to 32 over Dario Franchitti, with Dixon 40 points back.

Power started from the pole and led for 45 of the 60 laps. He beat teammate Ryan Briscoe by 1.2 seconds for his third win of the season, all on road or street courses.

He was in command from the start, leading the first 18 laps before pitting. Dixon inherited the lead for the next 10 laps before pitting again.

- AP