LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) — No one is better than Scott Dixon at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where the Iceman has six IndyCar victories and only has out of the top 10 twice in his career.
So it’s your favorite to win Sunday, right?
Well, not so fast.
Dixon is surprised by one of the longest losing streaks of his career — 21 races and counting, branding his first last season — and hasn’t won at Mid-Ohio since 2019. He also got a notch in the Chip Ganassi Racing lineup that he boasts. reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou and current Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, who head into the race Sunday as the IndyCar points leader.
Palou ranks fifth in the post and Dixon, sixth-time champion and most accomplished driver of his generation, is sixth in trying to fight for the title.
“There is a need for a clear and conjecture answer,” Dixon said of his jump-starter season. “I was hoping the Indy 500 would be my turn and kick what we needed. It’s been an interesting year, lots of ups and downs and some missed opportunities.
Dixon was in the Indianapolis 500 field race in May and dominated the race until he was languishing in accelerating his way into the pit. Following the penalty, he shot to catch.
When New Zealand suffered a disaster, its name suddenly emerged as a blockbuster free agency. Zak Brown, head of McLaren Racing, has long coveted Dixon and the news has spread to Indiana that Brown is trying to reunite Dixon with Ganassi after promising a leadership role with the McLaren Arrow SP.
Dixon, who is turning 42 later this month and has the fourth oldest full-time IndyCar driver, said he has not spoken to McLaren. It is possible his management offer has fallen, but Dixon stays on top of the fray.
“A lot of people are talking about it. I’ve even got a few email from people who ask about the same thing,” Dixon said. “If people have conversations, I wasn’t a part of them. I like what I’m doing and being on the team to do what I want. Who knows what’s going to happen, but as of now, I’m just focusing on this season. That’s all I have to say. Nothing’s really .
Dix wants to achieve results. In his 51 career victories for the third time, one win behind Mario Andretti for the second time, and one championship by AJ Foyt, has earned him seven points.
“Really, I don’t see any change in what I’m doing now for at least the next five years,” said Dixon, who also enjoys linen Ganassi, who also caught up with seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
“I think as far as we keep the balance out there, I think it worked really well, and I think if you look at how the team has become a competition, there’s certainly always areas that we can improve on and have confidence in. I’m working hard to do that,” Dixon said. “I love the dynamic right now. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a great group and we’ve already achieved one goal this year and we have to win the Indy 500. Hopefully, we can get a second championship goal.
WHY
Ganassi recently said that he expects four cars to return by 2023, an event that marks Johnson’s third year in IndyCar to advance. Johnson said Friday he got back n.
“The status quo — I watched Chip’s comments, and I thought it was a very good way to get a PC, so that everything would remain the same,” said Johnson. “I share the same thoughts. We all hope that’s the intention. “A lot of sponsors can talk with them and it takes up to October or November before any decisions are made. I hope it certainly isn’t high.
HAPPY’S FUTURE
With all the new gratuitous rumors, Felix Rosenqvist couldn’t help but wonder where he was on the ground, and if anyone would throw a McLaren SP in the Arrow for his job.
There will be a McLaren driver next year, but the Swedish don’t know when he’ll be driving the orange papaya. McLaren signed him to a multi-year contract extension, but Zak Brown still hasn’t decided if Rosenqvist will return to his seat in the IndyCar or headline up-coming Formula E team.
Rosenqvist didn’t want to reveal his preference for 2023, but he was extremely sophisticated because he clearly didn’t want to continue his passion for IndyCar. He and teammate Pato O’Ward are good friends and the team is developing last season to match Alex Rossi in third place with the team.
Rosenqvist has noted that he has been on an uptick since finishing 10th consecutive four or higher. It was the fourth Indy 500 this year.
“Without saying what I prefer, I think the bad results here make Zak’s election easier,” said Rosenqvist.
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