Dixon’s series lead cut after finishing 3rd

WELLINGTON: New Zealander Scott Dixon’s lead in the IndyCar series has been reduced to 26 points with just two races remaining after he finished third in the latest round in Madison, Illinois, yesterday.

Team Penske driver Will Power took line honours at Gateway Motorsports Park ahead of American Alexander Rossi, of Andretti Autosport.

Dixon leads from Rossi, while 2014 series champion Power has edged up the standings and now sits third overall, 42 points astray of Rossi.

It was Rossi’s third straight podium finish, following on from backtoback wins.

Power passed Dixon for first place on lap 150 of 248 on the 1.25mile (2km) oval.

The 37yearold Australian then opened out a gap of more than 7sec before making his final pit stop 18 laps from the end.

In doing so, he surrendered the lead back to Dixon, but hit the front again on lap 240 after the Kiwi made his last stop for fuel.

Dixon led 145 laps from the pole position in the Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and earned his eighth topthree result of 2018.

The fourtime series champion’s lead has shrunk from 62 to 26 points over the past three races despite finishing in the top five each time.

‘‘There were two different [fuel] strategies that played out, and I’m a bit mad at myself tonight for not making a decision quicker on which one to take,’’ Dixon told the IndyCar series website.

‘‘I’m not sure if it would have made a huge difference in the end, but it’s a solid result and we lost just a small bit to Rossi.’’ — RNZ