Ron's letter from America - 3rd Jun 09
Scott's win at Milwaukee
Milwaukee was a great win for the Target Chip Ganassi team, particularly as it is a difficult track. There was lots of action out front particularly with the Penske cars. Unfortunately Helio (Castroneves) went from hero to zero finishing down the field.
At one stage during the race the team kept Scott (Dixon) out on the track too long and he got into traffic. Some drivers had pitted earlier while Scott had another three or four laps of fuel. This nearly went against him as they didn’t seem to monitor the times that the other cars were doing.
Things could have gone haywire for Scott but he drove a calculated race. It was a mature drive as he waited for the right time to pass showing a great deal of patience that this track requires.
Passing at Milwaukee is a matter of timing. It is such a hard track that you cannot just step out and pass a slower car. You have to time it and make sure that you have got everything right including the draught.
Scott’s car was extremely good going into turn one; he could hold the line right down to the white line whether he was high or low. He was confident and thus able to pick the time to pass.
Both Helio and Briscoe got warned extensively for blocking, as did Tomas Scheckter. Although I think a lot of the time Tomas had no choice where he put the car on the track.
He was hanging on to grim death! It was a matter of if you want to pass you’ll have to go around me. He had a hand full and did a great job.
We came back to Florida on the same flight as him and he said that he didn’t have a lot of choice. He would find a certain grove on the track and would have to stay on it as he couldn’t change direction otherwise the car would just snap straight away (instantly lose grip and head either into the wall or into the in-field).
It was a great win and awesome for the boys after last week at the 500. Milwaukee is such a fickle track. It either loves you or hates you and if it hates you then you have an awful day.
There’s no rest as this weekend we are racing at Texas Speedway.
More soon...
Other letters from Ron
Qualifying was average, the racing should be great
*Ron Dixon is father to Indianapolis 500 winner and 2003 & 08 IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. He is also the President of Palm Beach International Raceway, Junpitor, Florida. This season nzracer.com follows Ron on his road trip around America with the Indycar Championship. Each week Ron will give us the insiders view from track side, pit lane and behind the scenes.
