Racetrack Insider - News and Views of the Motorsports Industry from Insiders Drew Patey and Buddy Judy

Dixon Takes Indy Car Mid-Ohio Victory

Scott Dixon "beat 'em all" at Mid Ohio on Sunday and moved back into the IndyCar Series lead as he showed that he is the one to beat for the championship this year. The reigning series champion won by leading the second half of the race after Justin Wilson lost ground in the pits. Wilson took the lead from Safety-Kleen driver and pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe, with Dixon running in third. But the Ganassi driver ran longer than anyone else before his first stop and jumped ahead of Briscoe and closed right in on Wilson. On the next stops Wilson's car ran out of gas and it was all over as Dixon took the lead and went on to take the checked flag. Dario Franchitti, Dixon's teammate fought hard to come thru the pack for third. Ryan Hunter-Reay claimed an outstanding fourth place for AJ Foyt's underdog team, ahead of Andretti-Green duo Hideki Mutoh and Marco Andretti, with Paul Tracy seventh. Safety-Kleen's Tony Kanaan went off the road early on but recovered to finish in 10th for AGR, with Penske's Helio Castroneves could only manage 12th after a spin. Danica Patrick had a horrible race and finished way back in the field. The day belonged to Dixon and it is clear to see that the Championship belongs to one of the Ganassi cars or one of the Penske cars.