Josef Newgarden during the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama IndyCar race . Photo / Getty Images
Josef Newgarden during the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama IndyCar race . Photo / Getty Images
Kiwi IndyCar driver Scott Dixon has finished second in this morning's Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsport Park.
Penke driver Josef Newgrden took the chequered flag first to record his first win of the season and first for his new team.
Reigning series champion Simon Pagenaud claimed third.
Teammate and pole-sitter Will Power led for 60 laps and looked to have the race in control when a slow puncture forced the Australian to the pits with only 13 laps to go.
Dixon, who started fourth, ran in the top three most of the race but wasn't able to make as many in-roads late in the race as he'd have hoped as he tried to chase down Newgarden.
His podium finish was the seventh of his career at Barber Motorsport Park - five of them second-place finishes.
After the last pitstop Dixon found himself in front of Newgarden under the final caution but shortly after the re-start the American dived down the inside and forced the Kiwi wide.
"I saw him late coming into in 15 or 16 on the last restart and I tried to turn down but the car was so neutral that I just didn't have any rear grip to pull it off," Dixon said.
"He didnt give me too much room but kudos to Josef, he drove a hell of a race.
"We actually had the speed - if we had clean air in that race I think we would have checked out.
"I feel bad for Will Power as well."
Scott Dixon during the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama. Photo / Getty Images
Newgarden was delighted to get his first win for the famous team.
"It is great. Ever since I joined this team I felt just this awesome enegry with this group," the young American said. "It is a group effort - all of the guys on all four cars are working together.
"I want to thank Chevy today - that was awesome today - I had the fuel mileage I needed, I had the power and the reliability."
Current series leader Sebastien Bourdais finished eighth to remain atop the standings. Dixon moves up to second in the championship standings as a result however.
The series continues next week at Phoenix Raceway.
Championship Standings Sebastien Bourdais 117 points Scott Dixon -6 Josef Newgarden -7 Simon Pagenaud -11 James Hinchcliffe -15 Helio Castroneves -33 Ryan Hunter-Reay -52 Takuma Sato -52
