It was a Kiwi 1-2 as Scott Dixon held off Scott McLaughlin at the line in one of the closest IndyCar finishes ever.
Dixon passed Mario Andretti for second on IndyCar's all-time wins list with a victory in the messy Music City Grand Prix that pulled him within reach of a record-tying seventh series championship.
Dixon overcame a poor qualifying effort, damage to his Chip Ganassi Racing car, a crash-fest around the downtown streets of Nashville and finally a drag race against fellow Kiwi McLaughlin in a two-lap push to the finish.
He won for the 53rd time of his career to break a tie with Andretti for second in the all-time column. More important, Dixon jumped to second in the points standings and trails series leader Will Power by six points with three races remaining.
One more title would tie him with AJ Foyt with a record seven championships. Foyt is also IndyCar's all-time winner with 67 victories.
McLaughlin, for Team Penske, finished second for a 1-2 finish for the drivers from New Zealand. The .1067-second margin of victory was the fourth-closest in IndyCar history on a road or street course.
"He's a legend, the GOAT," said McLaughlin. "I've always dreamed of racing him to the finish line. That was a proper duel."
Scott McLaughlin said it was a 'dream' to go head-to-head with Scott Dixon. Photo / AP
Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, finished third as Ganassi put two drivers on the podium. Palou moved one spot in the standings to fifth as 33 points separate the title contenders. On his way to victory lane, team owner Chip Ganassi stopped to congratulate Palou, the driver he is suing for trying to leave the organisation at the end of the season.
Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta both came back from one lap down to finish fourth and fifth for Andretti Autosport, while hometown driver Josef Newgarden was sixth. Pato O'Ward was the biggest loser of the race, which in its second year was slowed 10 times for 36 of the 80 laps.
The start was also delayed 90 minutes for rain and lightning in the area. O'Ward came to Nashville fifth in the standings but dropped to seventh and likely out of the championship picture with a 24th-place finish.
He was drilled from behind by Graham Rahal when O'Ward slowed on the track to avoid running into Power on Lap 26.
"I only have two paddles and an emergency switch. None of it works," O'Ward said after he was hit. "Thank you, Graham Rahal. We can't catch a freaking break. This is a joke."
It was an equally difficult day for defending race winner Marcus Ericsson, who was only nine points behind Power at the start of the race. But like teammate Dixon, Ericsson had a poor qualifying effort and struggled to come through the field from 18th.
He finished 14th and dropped to third in the standings. The Indianapolis 500 winner trails Power by 12 points.
