Six championships during that time, the first coming in 2003 and the most recent in 2020, provide a basis for quantifying the sustained success Dixon has achieved in his career.
Perhaps though the statistic that proves Dixon is one of motorsport’s true greats, not just by New Zealand standards but globally, is the fact that this season Dixon is set to break the all-time IndyCar starts record held by the iconic Mario Andretti of 407.
Should he compete in every race prior, the Brisbane-born, Manurewa-raised Dixon will break the record in this year’s 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
Having been on the cusp of championship number seven the past couple of seasons, Dixon has had time to reflect on what turned out to be a trying 2024.
“Yeah, it was a trying year. I think we led kind of the first half of the season and then just, it kind of went to shit.
“We had some little mistakes. We had kind of an issue with the tyre at Road America. Then we had a hybrid failure at Mid-Ohio. Then crashed out in Portland. The list kind of goes on.
“It was a bit of a rough end to the season and one that you could have made some changes and a lot of things were really just out of our control, as well.
“Those things definitely make you stronger ... We definitely have some big areas and some low-hanging fruit where I think we can make some big shifts and some big changes for a positive effect. Looking forward to that,” he says.
Scott Dixon will undertake his 25th IndyCar season in 2025. Photo / Getty Images
Dixon says he has confidence in his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda team to prepare and execute their plan to make 2025 a championship year for the No 9 car.
“I think it’s all about execution and preparation. Last year I think we prepared quite well. Execution was maybe not so great on many levels.
“I think the great thing about the series and also the hardest thing about the series is just how competitive it is. It’s brutal. You miss a little bit or give up a couple of races and you’re really not going to be in it.
“You’ve got to finish all the races. You’ve got to be quick. You’ve got to be quick on all disciplines. It’s tight right now, really tight, which is great for everybody to watch.”
Still chasing championships after 25 years in a sport is seldom heard of, yet Dixon says it is being beaten rather than his wins that continue to drive him forward.
“It’s just the competition. It sucks to get beat and I hate it. I think that’s what drives you. As I’ve always said, it’s weird how you don’t really think too much about the championships that you won. It’s kind of the ones lost and even going to a different level, about the races that you lost over certain things or just not getting it right.
“Yeah, the fire burns strong, man. I’m looking forward to getting after it for another year.”
Much of the talk ahead of the 2025 Indycar season is rightly focused on defending champion Álex Palou, who is seeking a third-successive title this year. Josef Newgarden, too, has garnered attention as he chases a third-successive Indy 500 win.
Dixon says he is more than happy for the attention and headlines to be focused on his competitors.
“Yeah, I’m fine with flying under the radar, man. That’s what I love the most. Yeah, keep those guys working flat out. That sounds good to me.”
Will Toogood is an online sports editor and golf reporter for the NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball around on a grass surface so much he decided to make a living out of it.
