Dixon now tied with Andretti
TORONTO — Scott Dixon had been waiting more than a year to join Mario Andretti in second place on IndyCar’s career wins list.
The only one ahead of him now is A.J. Foyt.
The six-time series champion finally snapped a 22-race winless streak when he held off pole sitter Colton Herta and Felix Rosenqvist on a late restart to win Sunday in the series’ return to Canada following a three-year hiatus.
Dixon’s 52nd career win came more than 21 years after his first triumph in Pennsylvania — the only one of his career that did not come with Chip Ganassi Racing — and puts him some rarified air. The next victory moves Dixon past Andretti and continues the climb toward Foyt, who holds a record that may never be broken with 67 career wins.
“It’s amazing. Honestly, to be close to Mario — every time I’m asked these questions, I’m so thankful we still have A.J. and him in the pits,” Dixon said. “It’s just fantastic. It’s huge, man. I feel so lucky to be part of this group.”
Herta, who tested for McLaren in Formula 1 earlier in the week, finished second for Andretti Autosport. Rosenqvist was third, Graham Rahal fourth and Marcus Ericsson finished fifth to further pad his points lead.
“It was a very good day for us,” Ericsson said. “We had a good plan, a good strategy. The crew did a great job.”
Just not as good as his Ganassi teammate.
“It was a tough drive, man. I don’t know,” Dixon said after exiting the car. “Ended a (winless) streak, which is fantastic. Just so happy for the team. It’s been a crazy year. I still feel extremely bad for the (Indy) 500. It feels so good.”
Bell earns playoff spot
Christopher Bell crashed the NASCAR playoffs, winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon to become the 14th Cup Series winner this season.
“That one was much needed right there,” the 27-year-old Bell said.
Bell mastered the track where he won Xfinity Series races in 2018, 2019 and 2021, holding off Chase Elliott, last week’s winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Bell is the 14th driver to earn a spot in the 16-driver playoff field.
With six races left in the regular season, it leaves open the possibility that more than 16 drivers could win a race and the final playoff spot or spots would be decided on points.