Dixon’s title hopes bite the dust

Scott Dixon’s defence of his IndyCar title is over after he could only manage a 13th-place finish at the Grand Prix of Monterey.

The Kiwi was chasing his seventh championship – having previously won in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2020 – but is now too far off the pace to claim back-to-back honours.

Dixon started the penultimate race of the season in California on September 20 (NZ time) in eighth place and moved up to fifth spot on the opening lap.

However, the handling of his for Chip Ganassi Racing car was proving difficult and any hopes of getting among his main rivals ended mid-race when Takuma Sato spun out on a corner and knocked him off the track.

The race was won by American Colton Herta, who started in pole position and led for 91 of the 95 laps. His victory also gave Honda its 10th manufacturer's title.

Dixon started the day 49 points off the championship lead but the top trio of Alex Palou of Spain, Mexico’s Pato O’Ward and American Josef Newgarden all finished ahead of him at Monterey.

The defending champion is now an insurmountable 72 points off the pace heading into the season-ending street race at Long Beach in California on September 27 (NZT).

The title appears to be firmly in the grip of his teammate Palou, whose only significant challenger is O’Ward who sits 35 points behind.

Scott McLaughlin, the other New Zealander in the series, remains in contention to end the season as the top rookie after he took 12th spot at Monterey after starting 16th on the grid.

He is in a battle for the honour with France’s Romain Grosjean, who finished third in the latest race and is only 20 points behind McLaughlin.

Drivers’ championship

1. Alex Palou, 517 points
2. Pato O’Ward, 482pts
3. Josef Newgarden, 469pts
4. Scott Dixon, 445pts
5. Marcus Ericsson, 430pts
Also: 13. Scott McLaughlin, 286pts