Lexington, OH (Sports Network) - Scott Dixon captured Sunday's inaugural
The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio road course and in the process collected his third
consecutive victory. The No.9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver crossed the
finish line 2.6917 seconds ahead of Dario Franchitti.
The victory was Dixon's third of the season and ninth of his IndyCar career.
With this victory Dixon has added to his impressive road course resume this
year. Earlier in the season Dixon won at Watkins Glen and took second at St.
Petersburg. It's not a fluke either. In 2006 Dixon earned a first, second and
fourth in the three road course events
After the race an excited Dixon said, "That was one of the toughest races I
have been involved in."
The green flag dropped 30 minutes later than the scheduled time due to the
British Open going into a two-man playoff on ABC.
When the race finally got underway, Helio Castroneves led the field around the
2.258-mile road course for 85 laps of racing.
The race got off to a wild start, to say the least. As Castroneves led the
field into turn nine, Tony Kanaan got into the back of Danica Patrick and sent
her onto the grass. As Kanaan came back up the track on an angle he hit the
left-front side of Marco Andretti's car. The impact caused Andretti's car to
flip over. Fortunately, Andretti escaped without any injuries.
When the pits opened under the caution period, Kanaan came down pit road for
service. Kanaan and Patrick, who both started in the top-five, now were on the
outside looking in.
On lap six the race went back to green with Castroneves still showing the way.
Dixon, Darren Manning, Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr. completed the top-five
early.
The No.3 Team Penske driver, who has had great success on this 2.258-mile
circuit, maintained a half-second lead on Dixon.
The top-five followed behind Castroneves in single-file fashion as the first
pit stops of the afternoon approached. The green flag pit stops begun on lap
26 and concluded on lap 31 when Kanaan, on a different strategy, came down
pit road.
When the stops were complete, Dixon found himself in the first position
because of fast stop. Castroneves, Franchitti, Hornish Jr. and Manning
followed behind.
The No.9 TCGR driver quickly pulled away to over a three-second margin. Dixon
showed why he has been so dominant on road courses this year by continuing to
increase his lead. His comfortable gap was soon erased.
The second full course caution flag flew on lap 46 when Hornish Jr., who was
running in fourth, went spinning into the tires barrier in turn one. During
the caution period the leaders came down pit road for a round of pit stops.
Kanaan and Scott Sharp didn't stop and thus took over the top-two spots.
The No.11 Andretti Green Racing driver was able to pull away from the field as
Sharp held everyone up. When Castroneves, Dixon, Franchitti and Danica Patrick
finally got around Sharp they were far behind Kanaan. Over seven seconds to be
exact.
On lap 60 Kanaan, on a different pit strategy, gave up the first spot to come
down pit road for his final stop. After his stop he reentered the road course
in the sixth position.
Castroneves was now leading the race again with Dixon, Franchitti, Patrick and
Manning behind him.
The No.3 Team Penske driver maintained a half-second lead over Dixon. The top-
three drivers pulled away from the rest of the field. Patrick, in fourth,
trailed the leader by 10 seconds.
On lap 70 Castroneves gave up the top spot to take his last pit stop. During
the next few laps the rest of the leaders cycled through their last stops.
Dixon used a fast fuel only stop and reentered the track ahead of Castroneves
for second.
Franchitti was able to stay out longer and took over the lead. His plan was to
build a large enough lead where he would be able to pit and keep the first
position. The No.27 AGR driver's lead was 16.1904 seconds when he came down
pit road with 10 to go.
Would Franchitti be able to pit and come out ahead of Dixon?
That question was answered when Franchitti, coming out of the pits, saw Dixon
fly by him on the track.
This proved to be the race winning moment as the remaining laps saw very
little passing. Dixon crossed the finish line without a challenge from
Franchitti.
Castroneves, Kanaan and Patrick completed the top-five.
The next race in the series is set for Sunday, August 5th at the Michigan
International Speedway.