Dixon and McLaughlin escape Indycar crash
New Zealand stars Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin escaped the carnage as a huge crash marred the start of the second race of the Indycar doubleheader in Texas yesterday.
Dixon eventually finished an incident-filled day fourth, and McLaughlin eighth in a race won by 21-year-old Mexican Pato O’Ward. Six cars were forced out of the race as some of the back markers came unstuck on the initial start at the Texas Motor Speedway’s oval track.
There were no injuries but high-profile drivers among the victims included Alexander Rossi and Sebastien Bourdais. Conor Daly slid a couple of hundred metres upside down at high speed. The aeroscreen on Daly’s car protected him.
Dixon, on pole, and McLaughlin, starting at seven on the grid, were forward of the pileup. The race was instantly put on hold for the lengthy job of clearing the track, with 20 laps expiring before the green flag was waved on again. Dixon won the opening race in Texas on Sunday, holding off a flying McLaughlin who came second to record his first podium in his new racing environment.
Dixon led for most of yesterday’s race but got foiled by the third and final yellow flag just after he had pitted for his final refuel and tyre change.
Fuel strategy became crucial in this 248-lap race and O’Ward timed his charge perfectly.
He finally took the lead with 24 laps to go and never looked like being challenged as second placed Josef Newgarden, third placed Graham Rahal, and Dixon all had to be conservative.
‘‘It was very tough, very confusing at times as no one wanted to lead,’’ Dixon said later.
Dixon remains at the top of the drivers’ points table as he seeks a record-equalling seventh championship.
O’Ward’s victory lifted him to second on the table, 22 points behind Dixon. McLaughlin recorded his second top 10 of the season to lie eighth overall and be the leading rookie.