LONG BEACH, Calif. — Scott Dixon and the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 9 Honda team used mind-boggling fuel-saving strategy Sunday to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The 43-year-old New Zealander, already second on IndyCar’s career wins list, posted the 57th triumph of his career to move closer to all-time No. 1 A.J. Foyt’s 67. Dixon has raced in IndyCar since 2003 and owns six season titles in North America’s top open-wheel circuit, but he’s not so sure he can catch Foyt, whose last win came in 1981.
“Still sounds like a lot,” he said. “Some years there you could knock out five, six or seven (wins). If it’s a good year, you can possibly get four or five. That’s strong. We’ll just keep our head down, man. It’s one of those things that I always say hopefully when you leave the sport, you’re happy with the stats.
“Of course, these are big stats. This is a big deal. We’re still a long way away from that.”
Colton Herta, who finished second for Andretti Global, and reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who was third in another Ganassi entry, were baffled by Dixon’s ability to stretch his fuel for nearly 50 of the 85 laps.