Motorsports: Scott Dixon stutters in qualifying for Firestone Grand Prix

Qualifying didn’t go well for IndyCar series leader Scott Dixon in the final race of the season, but the big picture still looks good as the Kiwi chase a sixth title.

Kiwi Dixon qualified 11th, while Kiwi Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin was 21st in the field of 24, for Monday morning’s Firestone Grand Prix in Florida.

Most importantly, the man chasing Dixon, American Josef Newgarden, also had a bad qualifying day, finishing eighth.

It means that even if Newgarden wins the 100-lap race through the streets of St. Petersburg, Dixon will still claim the title if he finishes ninth or better.

Much attention will be paid to New Zealand star McLaughlin, who rushed to the United States to join IndyCar after claiming his third consecutive Supercars title in Australia.

Initially he was quick in practice but after falling back in qualifying he said: “I’m disappointed in myself, but it is what it is.

“I’m pushing and trying to find the limits in a fast forward movement. We will just go back and try tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Dixon has seen a 117-point series lead shrink to 32, but he is the favorite to win the IndyCar title, and even more so after Newgarden lost an extra point from pole position.

“Josef starts eighth … that definitely helps us a lot. If they’re not in the top three, we don’t have to do anything,” Dixon said.

Newgarden was frustrated with himself and with his car.

“It makes our program a bit more difficult for tomorrow, but we’re still going to try to win,” he said.

“We can win (the title), we just made it harder for ourselves.”

Australian Will Power won his 62nd pole position, five less than Mario Andretti’s record, for the 14th and final race of the season.

The 14-lap temporary route, which includes part of an airport runway, will have up to 20,000 spectators. They must wear masks and socially distance themselves, and their temperature will be monitored due to Covid-19.

The race was postponed and apparently canceled at the beginning of the year, and Dixon said that reaching the IndyCar finish line was a “great victory” during the pandemic.

“It’s been such a strange year, a year that I will definitely never forget, no one else will,” he said.

“There will be highlights to reflect on, like leaving Gasoline Alley on race day and not seeing anyone. A polarization of the normal.

“We have to be grateful for the situation we are in.”