Houston Chronicle Sunday

With fans back, Dixon wins at Road America

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ELKHART LAKE, Wis. —

raced to his third straight victory Saturday with a 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 by 2.5386 seconds. They were followed in order by and

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

reeled off four straight to start the 2006 campaign.

The only other drivers to open an IndyCar season with at least three straight victories are

(seven in 1964) and

(three in 1971).

This marked the first time spectators were allowed in an IndyCar event this season.

“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.

In other motor sports news:

• won the NASCAR Trucks Series race at Kentucky Speedway when rain washed out the final stage.

Creed won for the first time in the series, taking the second stage before a thundersto­rm hit the track.

Creed started second in the No. 2 GMS Racing Chevrolet and was third in the first stage before dipping

Scott Dixon Will Power

Alex Palou, Ryan Hunter-Reay Colton Herta. Sebastien Bourdais Unser A.J. Foyt Al Sheldon Creed

low past a group of trucks on the Lap 52 restart. He then battled Kentucky native for the lead and took control, taking the checkered flag just as dark clouds approached the 1.5-mile oval.

Ben Rhodes’

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke hires Celtics’ Lawson

Duke has turned to Boston Celtics assistant coach and former WNBA All-Star to lead its women’s basketball program.

The school announced the hiring in a social media post, a little more than a week after

announced she wouldn’t return for a 14th season. It is the first college head-coaching job for the 39-year-old Lawson, who played under at Tennessee before a long WNBA career as well as work in broadcasti­ng.

Kara Lawson McCallie Joanne P. Pat Summitt

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Maryland has 9 test positive

Nine Maryland athletes and staff members tested positive for the novel coronaviru­s during on-campus screening this week, the athletic department said. Maryland has suspended football workouts.

HOCKEY

Stars’ Polak won’t report to camp Roman Polak , Mike Green, Steven Kampfer Sven Baertschi

Edmonton’s

Boston’s and Vancouver’s

joined the list of players who won’t be reporting to training camp for the resumption of the NHL season.

Baertschi told the Canucks he’d be opting out of participat­ing in the expanded 24-team playoffs, following Calgary’s

informing the Flames he won’t be playing because of family reasons.

Hamonic

SOCCER of Dallas

Travis Valot, New York edge Atlanta 1-0

Florian Valot

scored in the opening minutes, and the New York Red Bulls beat Atlanta United 1-0 in the MLS is Back tournament at Lake Buena Vista, Fla..

 ?? David Guralnick / Associated Press ?? The Palace of Auburn Hills, former home of the Detroit Pistons, was demolished on Saturday.
David Guralnick / Associated Press The Palace of Auburn Hills, former home of the Detroit Pistons, was demolished on Saturday.

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