[ad_1]
Jeff Roberson / AP
Scott Dixon claimed his 50th career victory in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
New Zealand driver Scott Dixon has extended his lead at the top of the IndyCar Series standings after claiming his 50th career victory in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on Sunday (New Zealand time).
After being forced to settle for second place behind Takuma Sato in the Indianapolis 500 last Monday (NZT), Dixon took a bit of revenge, and the Japanese driver finished second behind him this time, 0.1404 seconds behind. .
It has been 23 years since the Indy 500 winner won the race that immediately followed.
Pato O’Ward was third, 7.0052 seconds behind Dixon, who claimed his fourth win of the season in nine starts.
READ MORE:
* ‘The IndyCar championship belongs to Scott Dixon,’ says Kiwi rival Alexander Rossi
* Scott Dixon fired up to claim the sixth IndyCar championship
* Scott Dixon’s expat mechanic Taranaki receives highest honor
“It’s totally amazing,” Dixon said of his half century.
“Sato was getting strong at the end, and I didn’t realize how strong he was coming. We were going into standby mode to take care of the engine, and he was coming with a steam head.
Jeff Roberson / AP
Scott Dixon pits during Sunday’s race (NZT), where he took revenge on Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato.
“I am so happy for this team. Last weekend was a bit boring so it was good to get a win.
“Fifty, that sounds amazing. We have to keep hauling trucks and get some more. “
The 40-year-old is seeking a sixth championship crown and already had an 84-point lead over runner-up Josef Newgarden heading into this event.
His 51 points from this latest win have now moved him to 386 overall, now 117 over Newgarden, who bagged just 18 for his 12th place.
There is a second race at Gateway on Monday (NZT), with three more scheduled for the season.
