NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scott Dixon handed Mario Andretti for second on IndyCar’s all-time wins record with a victory Sunday within the messy Music Metropolis Grand Prix that pulled him inside attain of a record-tying seventh sequence championship.
Dixon overcame a poor qualifying effort, injury to his Chip Ganassi Racing automobile, a crash-fest across the downtown streets of Nashville and at last a drag race in opposition to Scott McLaughlin in a two-lap push to the end. He received for the 53rd time of his profession to interrupt a tie with Andretti for second within the all-time column.
Extra essential, Dixon jumped to second within the factors standings and trails sequence chief Will Energy by six factors with three races remaining. Yet one more title would tie him with A.J. Foyt with a report seven championships.
Foyt can be IndyCar’s all-time winner with 67 victories.
McLaughlin, for Crew Penske, completed second for a 1-2 end for the drivers from New Zealand.
The .1067-second margin of victory was the fourth-closest in IndyCar historical past on a highway or avenue course.
“He is a legend, the GOAT,” mentioned McLaughlin. “I’ve all the time dreamed of racing him to the end line. That was a correct duel.”
Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, completed third as Ganassi put two drivers on the rostrum. Palou moved one spot within the standings to fifth as 33 factors separate the title contenders. On his method to victory lane, group proprietor Chip Ganassi stopped to congratulate Palou, the motive force he’s suing for making an attempt to go away the group on the finish of the season.
Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta each got here again from one lap down to complete fourth and fifth for Andretti Autosport, whereas hometown driver Josef Newgarden was sixth.
Newgarden has had a tough stretch since crashing whereas main at Iowa three races in the past. He confirmed because the factors chief earlier than the crash, collapsed and hit his head after wrecking, and needed to go a battery of medical exams to be cleared to compete final weekend at Indianapolis.
In Nashville, he scaled again his obligations forward of the race to be rested and capable of race for the win. Though he was the chief late within the race, Newgarden needed to pit for gasoline and had later contact with Romain Grosjean, who was livid with Newgarden after the collision.
“Welcome to IndyCar. It will get tight. I do not know what to inform him,” Newgarden mentioned. “Let me let you know what, I about bought taken out six occasions myself. I most likely have to have some dialogue with a number of the youthful guys, however they’re aggressive. They’re very aggressive and in the event you’re not aggressive again, then you definately get run over. That is IndyCar racing. You have to study that fairly fast. I do not prefer it, however that is the sport that we’re in.”
Pato O’Ward was the largest loser of the race, which in its second yr was slowed 10 occasions for 36 of the 80 laps. The beginning was additionally delayed 90 minutes for rain and lightning within the space.
O’Ward got here to Nashville fifth within the standings however dropped to seventh and certain out of the championship image with a Twenty fourth-place end. He was drilled from behind by Graham Rahal when O’Ward slowed on the monitor to keep away from operating into Energy on Lap 26.
“I solely have two paddles and an emergency change. None of it really works,” O’Ward mentioned after he was hit. “Thanks, Graham Rahal. We won’t catch a freaking break. It is a joke.”
It was an equally tough day for defending race winner Marcus Ericsson, who was solely 9 factors behind Energy at the beginning of the race. However like teammate Dixon, Ericsson had a poor qualifying effort and struggled to come back by means of the sphere from 18th.
He completed 14th and dropped to 3rd within the standings. The Indianapolis 500 winner trails Energy by 12 factors.