Scott Dixon is starting to look unstoppable.
The New Zealander came from behind Saturday at Kentucky Speedway, passing Helio Castroneves on the final straightaway to win the Meijer Indy 300. It was the second win in a row and record-tying sixth victory of the season for Dixon, who is trying to win his second IndyCar Series championship.
Castroneves, still seeking his first victory of the season and his first series title, tried to get it on fuel strategy. It looked as if Castroneves had it when he took the lead with six laps to go as Dixon, who had dominated most of the 200-lap race, was forced to make a fuel stop.
Dixon came out just over six seconds behind the Brazilian but steadily cut into the margin, finally passing Castroneves as the leader slowed coming off the fourth turn on the 1.5-mile oval, out of fuel.
“I knew he was a little bit slow and I could see us catching him, and to get him on the last corner was pretty fantastic,” Dixon said.
“I think this is the view Dario had on the last lap in Chicago last year,” added Dixon, referring to Dario Franchitti passing him on the last lap to win both the race and the championship last year in the season finale.
It was the seventh second-place finish for the frustrated Castroneves.
“What an incredible strategy,” Castroneves said, still able to smile. “I tried everything. Second seems to be my place, what can I say? Every time I finish second, he finishes first. We’ve got to change that.”
Tim Cindric, the president of Penske Racing who calls the races for Castro- neves, brought his driver in to top off the fuel tank on lap 143, meaning Castroneves had to go the final 64 laps on a tank of fuel — about 12 laps farther than the average.
As Dixon chased down the leader, Cindric could be heard on the radio exhorting Castroneves: “You got to go! You got to go! He’s coming!”
He did his best until the ethanol ran out, and remained philosophical.
“It was the opportunity to play strategy, and I give the total credit to Tim Cindric,” he said. “It almost worked.”
Ambrose wins Nationwide race
Marcos Ambrose took advantage of a fortuitous pit stop midway through the Nationwide Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International and easily beat Kyle Busch for his first career NASCAR victory.
Ambrose, from Tasmania, was in the pits on lap 42 when the fourth caution of the 82-lap race flew. He gained the lead on lap 48 but gave it up right away to top off for fuel.
Ambrose worked his way up to third with 12 laps to go as Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson battled for the lead. But the two leaders ran out of fuel with less than four laps remaining, and Ambrose coasted to the victory.
Schumacher is tops in top fuel
Tony Schumacher took the No. 1 qualifying position in his bid for a fourth consecutive victory and ninth overall win of the season today in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.
The top fuel star had his fifth No. 1 qualifying performance of the season and 66th of his career with a 3.864- second run at 312.21 mph from Friday.
Ashley Force (funny car), Greg Anderson (pro stock) and Matt Smith (pro stock bike) topped their divisions.
Third time’s a charm
Johnny Benson became the fifth Craftsman Truck Series driver to win three straight races in the series’ 13-year history, passing Erik Darnell with three laps left and pulling away in the Toyota Tundra 200.
The Associated Press
