Dixon’s title defence stays alive
Scott Dixon endured a “tough day” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he finished well down in the placings but still managed to narrow the gap to championship leader Alex Palou.
The Kiwi driver spun on his final lap in qualifying for the season’s second Indianapolis Grand Prix, started the race in 26th place on the grid, and his Chip Ganassi team’s pit strategy failed to deliver substantial gains and he eventually tied with his season low by finishing 17th.
Dixon, the defending and six-time champion, was 42 points behind Palou entering the event on August 15 (NZ time).
He has now slipped to third in the drivers’ standings but still managed to cut the margin to the top to 34 points after mechanical problems forced Palou to retire.
Will Power took the chequered flag for his first victory of the 2021 season, finishing ahead of rookie Romain Grosjean and Colton Herta.
Scott McLaughlin remains the leading rookie in the series in 13th place overall, after the New Zealander came home 23rd in the grand prix.
There are four races remaining in the season, with the drivers next in action at the Group 500 near St Louis on August 22 (NZT) for the final oval race of the campaign.
Drivers’ championship
1. Alex Palou, 415 points
2. Pato O’Ward, 362pts
3. Scott Dixon, 381pts
4. Josef Newgarden, 360pts
5. Marcus Ericsson, 353pts
Also: 13. Scott McLaughlin, 213pts
