Scott Dixon cements himself as the greatest driver of the modern Indycar era moving one win closer to the legendary A.J. Foyt's 67 wins with his 53rd.
The streets of Music City have well and truly struck a chord with Kiwi drivers Scott Dixon leading fellow Kiwi, Scott McLaughlin home in Nashville in what is the first Kiwi 1-2 finish in an IndyCar race. Giltrap Group sponsored Hunter McElrea also maintains his second position in the Indy Light Championship with a P3 in his race.
The race win, Dixon’s 53rd, also cements the veteran as the greatest IndyCar driver of the modern era as Dixon overtakes Mario Andretti for overall race wins making him the second most winningest driver in the sports history.
Scott McLaughlin continues to make his mark on IndyCar in just his second season after migrating from Australian Supercars. McLaughlin took Pole Position for the event and held good position and kept out of trouble in an otherwise drama-filled race.
With all but one of the circuit’s tight corners requiring first gear, Nashville’s narrow street circuit is renowned for creating race cautions and safety car interventions and this race meeting was no different with no less than 8 cautions in the main event.
Scott Dixon started the race from 14th and was making his way through the field before being tagged from behind on Lap 28 and had to pit with rear tyre and suspension damage, he re-joined down the field with noticeable damage and reduced downforce but the team’s pit strategy and quick stops later in the race placed him in second for the final third of the race.
With fresh tyres Dixon was able to move into P1 and despite further safety car intervention and a valiant effort by Scott McLaughlin in the last laps of the race was able to maintain the lead but only just.
McLaughlin had a cleaner run out of the final corners and it was a drag race to the finish. The .1067-second gap between the Kiwis was the fourth-closest finish in IndyCar history.
“Nashville is so awesome," Dixon said. "(McLaughlin) was super fast. If it had been a lap or two longer…”
McLaughlin voiced a mutual respect for his Countryman.
“He's a legend, the GOAT,'' McLaughlin said, referring to Dixon. “I've always dreamed of racing him to the finish line. That was a proper duel.”
A few exciting incidents aside, the Indy Lights race with McElrea was relatively clean and McElrea battled for many laps with Andretti Autosport’s Teammate, Stingray Robb, making contact during one dual. McElrea’s car appeared damaged from the contact, and Robb would drove away to beat his teammate to the finish by 3.1723 seconds.
All three Kiwi drivers remain in contention for their respective Championships. The win now moves Dixon to second in the IndyCar Championship, with Scott McLaughlin also within contention. Meanwhile McElrea is second in the Indy Lights Championship.
There are three races left in the season with the next event the Bommoraito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway on August 21 (NZ Time).
