IRL Feature - The Pressure Is On, Says Dixon
29/07/2007
Scott Dixon has said that he hopes this year's IndyCar Series title is decided by on-track results rather than retirements.
After a brutal five races in five weekends, the IndyCar Series takes a rest this weekend, but there is no doubt the momentum is with second-placed Dixon at the break.
He has closed the gap to championship leader Dario Franchitti from 65 points to 24 with three consecutive race wins, but the Ganassi driver is hoping that the pair will have a fair battle for the title to the end of the season.
"I hope it is a true race to the finish, not a silly accident or a mechanical problem that one of us has," Dixon said.
"We are applying as much pressure as possible, we're closing the gap. If we keep going at this rate, it's going to be good."
The 2003 champion admitted that Franchitti's consistency has frustrated him at times, as the Andretti Green driver has not finished outside of the top five since the first race of the season.
"There's no doubt about it, it's getting frustrating," Dixon added. "I said the same thing to the team last weekend and they said 'at least he's not in front of us.'
"He's been consistently on the podium when we've won. It's been very tough to close that gap. Not to wish him any bad luck, but man, some is due."
Likewise, Franchitti believes that his performances will have to be perfect for the rest of the season, despite leading the points, if he is to win the IndyCar Series title. With Dixon winning the last three races, his lead has been more than halved.
"The guys on the No 9 car, and Scott himself, are doing a hell of a job," said Franchitti.
"We need perfection. I'm being critical of myself and my guys, but we need that perfection to win the championship.
"I know it's going to be a fight until the end of the championship, but I wasn't expecting anything else," he said.
"At this point when you look at the guys fighting it out in front week in, week out, there's no weak spots for anybody.
"We've just got to get on with it and do the job. We're looking for perfection, and we'll just keep pushing the car each week."