Dixon Doubles At Toronto

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TORONTO – Scott Dixon was dominant in Race 2 of the Honda Indy Toronto — from the first standing start in IZOD IndyCar Series history to the completion of 85 laps.

Dixon, who won Race 1 of the Honda Indy Toronto by 1.7 seconds over Sebastien Bourdais on July 14, won Race 2 under caution because of a late accident to sweep the weekend doubleheader and earn the $100,000 SONAX Perfect Finish Award.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a dominant day,” said Dixon, who led 81 of the 85 laps in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

It was the third consecutive victory for two-time series champion Dixon, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday July 22. His last three-in-a-row stretch was in 2007 (Watkins Glen, Nashville, Mid-Ohio), and the last in the series was accomplished by Ryan Hunter-Reay (Milwaukee, Iowa, Toronto) en route to his 2012 series championship.

Dixon also earned his 32nd Indy car victory to overtake Dario Franchitti, Bourdais and Paul Tracy for seventh on the all-time list.

Al Unser Jr. is next up with 34 victories (nine on ovals, 25 of road/street courses). Dixon has won 17 races on ovals and 15 on road/street courses. He has earned 31 of his 32 victories with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, which he joined in 2003.

“If we can get more victories, we’re obviously doing something right,” Dixon said. “I credit a lot of that to the team.”

Helio Castroneves, who entered the race with a 39-point lead over Hunter-Reay in the championship standings, finished second and is 29 points clear of Dixon. Bourdais earned his second consecutive podium finish (his first since 2007), and Franchitti finished fourth. E.J. Viso, who started 10th, placed fifth.

Carlos Munoz, who was a race day replacement for Ryan Briscoe in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car, advanced seven positions to finish 17th in his second IZOD IndyCar Series race. Briscoe suffered a fractured right wrist in Race 1.