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IndyCar News (2007)
Dixon does the double
15/08/2007
There are not many IndyCar drivers in the world who can say they have taken wins at the same circuit three consecutive years in a row. In fact, there are only two and they happen to be Target Chip Ganassi teammates, Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon.
Scott took his third successive win at Watkins Glen International this season after leading from the 20th lap as pole-sitter Helio Castroneves crashed out from the front of the pack. The Kiwi driver equalled Wheldon’s record, which was set this March, as he took his third win at the Homestead Miami Speedway.
Dixon also equalled another of Wheldon’s records this season when he became the third driver in IndyCar history to win three consecutive races in a season. Dixon pulled off the feat with triumphant performances at Watkins Glen, Nashville Superspeedway and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Kenny Brack set the original record in 1998, which was then matched by Wheldon seven years later.
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Racing All Over the World podcast caught up with Dixon not long after his record setting exploits to hear him explain just how he did it.
“I think it is kind of hard to say how we have achieved that. It’s not one thing or two things specifically that we have changed,” he explained. “I think our season as a team in general has been very strong. We had a good start with four second places and a couple of fourths and then we had some problems at Texas and Iowa, but consistency wise we have been pretty happy. To get three in a row at Watkins Glen, Nashville and then Mid-Ohio was definitely great for us.”
2007 saw the introduction of three new courses to the IndyCar Series; the Iowa Speedway, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Belle Isle Raceway, with Dixon seeing mixed results at the two new circuits that have been raced at so far. Dixon finished 10th at Iowa after encountering mechanical problems, whilst taking the top 50 points available at the Mid-Ohio circuit. Dixon is not deterred by these mixed results and is enjoying the challenges the new circuits bring.
New circuits also bring new challenges in terms of tyre supply, as the three new circuits each require their own individualised attention when it comes to preparing the tyres for competition. Dixon has complete faith in Firestone and their ability to bring the right tyre to the right track and relishes in the support the company’s engineers provide.
Hear more of what Scott Dixon has to say by downloading or subscribing to the latest IRL podcast.
Bridgestone Motorsport Racing all over the World podcasts are a weekly delivery of motorsport news from the world of racers on Bridgestone and Firestone tyres. They can be downloaded first from www.bridgestonemotorsport.com from the links on the bottom right of the page.
Bridgestone Motorsport Racing all over the World podcasts are also available by RSS feed or from iTunes.
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