Three time winner at the famous Watkins Glen roadcourse (circuit) Scott Dixon will be looking forward to gaining another victory this weekend in his quest for another IndyCar driver’s title with the Target Chip Ganassi Racing team (TCHR).
Last year at the Glen, Dixon was in second position and eying Darren Manning for the lead with 10 laps to go, but spun warming up his tires and collected Ryan Briscoe, ending hopes of extending his streak of three straight wins. Dixon rebounded to finish 11th.
Dixon has won three of the four IndyCar Series races at Watkins Glen International. Beyond being one of only two drivers in Watkins Glen history to win three straight open-wheel races at the racetrack (Graham Hill, F1), this is also the place where Dixon ended the longest dry spell of his career. His win at the Glen in the fall of 2005 snapped a 40-race win less streak.
Commenting on the historical significance, TCGR Managing Director Mike Hull commented, “Watkins Glen is a very special race track due to its lineage of winners. The drivers who have competed there have won major open wheel championships and races world-wide, so it’s great to be recognized with the significance of Watkins Glen with Scott Dixon as a three-time winner.”
“The Glen is recognized as a driver’s race track, as it takes a technically savvy driver who is supported by a solid team of people to win, so that is why it’s considered so important to win the event. With Scott and Dario (Franchitti), we have a matched set of very technical drivers who appreciate and respect the history of motorsports. They thrive on being prepared to “get-up” for race tracks like Watkins Glen.”
Last Saturday’s victory in Richmond was a nice little farewell gift to Dixon’s wife, Emma, who won’t be back at the track until later this season. The Dixons are expecting their first child, and Emma will be spending the next three weeks in Indianapolis preparing to give birth.
Dixon is second in the championship, one point behind the leader and his team mate Dario Franchitti.
The race is timed to go at 1:30pm Sunday 5th July local time (Mon 6th Jul 5:30am NZ time).
