Three from three for Dixon

WELLINGTON: New Zealander Scott Dixon's flying start to the IndyCar season has continued.

After winning the opening two races on the 2020 calendar, Dixon made it three from three at the Road America couse in Wisconsin yesterday.

The victory, after he was 15thfastest in practice and ninth in qualifying, showed the fighting qualities and class of the fivetime champion.

It also moved him within one of 50 career IndyCar victories, just three wins behind Mario Andretti for second on the alltime series list.

``We didn't start the weekend [well]. The car’s really difficult to drive but a huge thank you to everybody on the PNC Bank crew. We dialled in a little bit better for the race [but it was] still really tricky,'' Dixon (39) told NBC.

``That was awesome, man.'' The result made Dixon just the fourth driver to win the first three races of the IndyCar season. It was also the third time he has collected three straight victories, after doing the same in 2007 and 2013.

``It's not me man. The team just do such an amazing job to cover all the bases.

``We had a lot of changes in the offseason and we're in the business of winning so we've got to win, you know . . .

``It's so cool to be back at a track with fans and there's tons of them here today so it's really cool to do that, especially where we started.''

Despite having to backup in the second of two races at Road America today, Dixon was still hoping to celebrate.

``I'll see if I can sneak in a couple beers, we'll see what's the boss says.

‘‘Maybe we can have a bit of champagne.''

Dixon extended his championship lead to 62 points from nearest rival Frenchman Simon Pagenaud with the victory. — RNZ