Dixon’s first victory of year is a big one
DETROIT — Scott Dixon earned his 42nd IndyCar victory to pull even with Michael Andretti for third on the career list.
He did it by outlasting three of Andretti’s drivers — including the retired legend’s son.
Dixon raced to his first victory of the year, beating Ryan Hunter-Reay by 1.8 seconds Saturday at Belle Isle. Hunter-Reay drives for Andretti Autosport, and so do Alexander Rossi and Marco Andretti, who finished third and fourth.
“I’m sure Michael was on the radio,” Dixon joked, “probably telling Hunter-Reay to get after it a little bit there.”
Dixon hadn’t led a lap all season until Saturday, but this was his fourth top-five finish in seven races in 2018. IndyCar’s active leader in victories, Dixon now has at least one in 14 straight seasons. This was also his 99th top-three finish, breaking a tie for fourth with Al Unser on that list.
In the first of two IndyCar races this weekend at Belle Isle, Dixon led 39 of the 70 laps on the 2.35-mile street course. After starting in pole position, Andretti was in front for the first 22 laps before giving up the lead during a cycle of pit stops.
“We wanted to stay as close as possible just in case they pitted quite early,” Dixon said. “We knew they kind of had to get to lap 20 to make it work anyway, and then we started to pile on the pressure a little bit there to be close on that pit stop exchange.”
The only other drivers to lead were Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal. After winning both Belle Isle races last year, Rahal crashed out of this one after 45 laps, hitting the wall coming out of a turn.
Santino Ferrucci, making his first IndyCar start two days after his 20th birthday, crashed a short while after Rahal when he spun 360 degrees before ending up in a tire barrier. Charlie Kimball was given a penalty for avoidable contact.
The restart after Ferrucci’s crash came with 10 laps to go. Dixon led after the green flag and was in control the rest of the way in the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 9 Honda.
Afterward, Hunter-Reay and Rossi were informed Dixon was now even with their team owner. They were asked if they’d like to see Dixon move ahead of him.
“I’ll plead the fifth,” Hunter-Reay said.
Added Rossi: “I think it’s our job — it’s in our job description contract to make sure that he does not pass Michael.”
Rossi took over the season points lead, Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power finished seventh to drop from first to third in the standings and Dixon moved into second.
The second of the Belle Isle races is today, with qualifying set for this morning.