Dixon snaps Penske Racing pole streak
DETROIT – Scott Dixon won his first pole of the year, snapping Penske Racing’s streak of having the fastest car in IndyCar qualifying this season.
Dixon hopes the favourable position — thanks to clocking a track record of one minute, 10.3162 seconds Saturday — will help him snap a five-race winless skid this year.
It certainly should help the two-time series champion’s chances to win the 28th race of his career at the Detroit Grand Prix, where a slick and tight 2.07-mile course isn’t known for much manoeuvring. The past two races on Belle Isle, in 2008 and 2007, had just nine lead changes combined when Justin Wilson and Tony Kanaan won.
“It’s one of the toughest tracks we come to as far as passing,” Dixon said after earning his 18th career pole. “It’s definitely a handful to get around here.”
Penske’s Will Power, the IndyCar points leader, will start Sunday’s race alongside Dixon in the front row, Alex Tagliani will begin a seasonbest third with Simon Pagenaud fourth and EJ Viso fifth.
Dixon gave Chip Ganassi Racing its first pole this year and hopes to give the team its second straight win.
It will be tough for Dario Franchitti to do it.
The reigning Indianapolis 500 champion and Ganassi driver will start 15th in the 25-car field. He blamed Ed Carpenter’s sputtering car and questionable tactics for getting in his way and slowing him down in qualifying.
Logano passes Truex to win Nationwide
DOVER, DEL. – Joey Logano had wasted enough shots at winning Dover to feel like he was on the brink of a repeat.
Out in front for most of the race, Logano fell back after a four-tire pit stop, paving the way for Ryan Truex to take the lead.
Logano instead powered his way to the lead with six laps left when Truex got mired in lapped traffic on Saturday to win the Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway.