Indy win ‘a long time ago’

‘ Indy 500 is very unique, it almost chooses who will win. It has a personality no other race has.’ MIKE HULL

AFTER four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon powered his way to a third Indy 500 pole position, he is a leading contender to be drinking the milk and holding the Borg-Warner Trophy for a second time tomorrow morning, NZ time.

But his strategist Mike Hull admits there is much to be done before that is a reality.

Following nine days ‘‘chasing the race track’’ in practice and qualifying, Hull said many factors made race day success very challenging to achieve.

Correct calls at around seven pit-stops, retaining strong track position for the furious final part of the race, not to mention plenty of ‘‘brave pills’’ towards the end as a the wheel. Winning the IndyCar title in his debut season was evidence enough of that.

But talent only sustains an athlete for so long and, as the years have rolled on and the success has stacked up, Dixon has become the consummate professional.

The list of reasons the man known as ‘‘Dixie’’ in IndyCar circles and ‘‘The Ice Man’’ to IndyCar fans is consistently near the pointy end of the field is long, as Hull explains. life-changing victory becomes a potential reality.

IndyCar’s ‘‘Ice Man’’, though, has proven his ability to handle that immense pressure.

And, along with being on pole, Dixon also has form on his side, with five top-five finishes from five races this year, including three podiums.

Hull was optimistic that was a

‘‘Scott has this special mindset, he wants to learn every day. He takes nothing for granted and doesn’t want to stand on what he just did. And under what most call pressure, he doesn’t even recognise it. He also looks at everything without predetermination, there is zero agenda and he expects everyone around him to operate that way.

‘‘He pushes people to another level, and sees in people what they don’t see in themselves.’’ good omen but any premature celebrations were out of the question.

‘‘Scott relishes driving a race car everywhere, but the significance of this race means it’s either a heart-felt experience when you win or heartbreak when you lose, there is no in between. Because you devote so much time to it, it’s almost suicidal if you don’t win.

‘‘With a driver like Scott Dixon, he’s going to give you everything so you have to give him everything. If you’re able to match those up, the opportunity is there.

‘‘But the Indy 500 is very unique, it almost chooses who will win.

‘‘It has a personality no other race has, you have to be good to Indy so Indy will be good to you.’’ Clay Wilson

Arguably the biggest asset in the Dixon arsenal, though, his is adaptability.

IndyCar has undergone significant change no less than five times during his time in the formula, and the race wins and championships have continued to come.

Comparing him to the great Mario Andretti, Hull calls Dixon a ‘‘throwback guy’’ who can ‘‘get it done’’ in a variety of cars, conditions and situations.