Dixon runs IndyCar streak to three
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Scott Dixon raced to his third straight victory Saturday with an improbable triumph in the opener of a weekend doubleheader at Road America, as IndyCar welcomed fans to its races for the first time this season.
Dixon took the lead shortly after a caution flag and beat Will Power by 2.5386 seconds. They were followed in order by Alex Palou, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Colton Herta.
Dixon has won each of the three IndyCar races in the pandemic-delayed season. He’s the first IndyCar driver to start a season with at least three consecutive victories since Sebastien Bourdais reeled off four to start the 2006 campaign.
The only other drivers to open an IndyCar season with at least three straight victories are A.J. Foyt (seven in 1964) and Al Unser (three in 1971).
This marked the first time spectators were allowed in an IndyCar event this season; they weren’t permitted in races at Fort Worth or Indianapolis. IndyCar is treating each event separately and following local and state health regulations at each track.
“It’s so cool to be back on a track with fans,” Dixon said. “And there’s tons of them here today.”’
Saturday’s race took drivers 55 laps around a course that’s just over 4 miles long with 14 turns.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
SPARTA, Ky. — As Austin Cindric celebrated by throwing his hands in the air after his most impressive win, Harrison Burton and Noah Gragson threw punches at each other in the only real battle at Kentucky Speedway.
Cindric dominated Friday night to sweep the NASCAR Xfinity Series doubleheader at Kentucky. A night after racing to his first career oval victory in an overtime finish, the Team Penske driver was even stronger in the No. 22 Ford Mustang in the 300-mile capper.
Just after Cindric celebrated his victory with a burnout, Burton and Gragson argued before throwing punches in a fight that lasted several moments before they were separated.
Burton, the son of former Cup driver Jeff Burton, had on a mask, while Gragson didn’t.
The two collided in the final laps, with both cars brushing the wall. The frustrations spilled over after the race, first with the drivers arguing nose to nose before they shoved each other and started duking it out.
“This has been two times since we’ve come back from the COVID-19 pandemic on restarts,” said Burton, alluding to previous clashes with Gragson. “I don’t know if he forgets what racetrack we’re at or what, but both times puts us in the fence — Charlotte and now here.”
Gragson was seventh, and Burton finished 12th. NASCAR talked to both drivers but doesn’t anticipate any penalties or suspensions.
NHRA
INDIANAPOLIS — Tommy Johnson Jr. topped Funny Car qualifying Saturday at the NHRA Nationals in the the series’ return from a more than fourmonth break because of the pandemic. He had had a 3.983-second run at 317.72 mph in a Dodge Charger in front of a limited number of fans at Lucas Oil Raceway.
Steve Torrence led in Top Fuel, Jason Line in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Dixieland Speedway
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Billy Hubbard of Cobbs Creek, in Mathews County, earned his first victory of the season on the dirt track at Dixieland Speedway.
He started on the outside pole and quickly overtook John Staton, the eventual runner-up. Langley Speedway standout Mark Wertz placed third in his first race at Dixieland since early this century.
Troy Brickhouse of Elizabeth City earned $1,000 by winning the 35-lap Sportsman feature from flag to flag, holding off Brad Cox in the closing laps. Mark Gonzales took third, his best finish of the year.
Dennis Barnes and Kevin Bray each won 15-lap Super Street races, and Trevor Battoia was first in the 15-lap Stock Fours feature, beating points leader Chris Freeman, a teacher at Chesapeake Career Center.
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