Scott Dixon Dominates Gateway In 55th INDYCAR Win

When a task seems unachievable, Scott Dixon always proves everyone wrong. (Photo: Joe Skibinski | Penske Entertainment)

MADISON, Ill. — Thanks to the perfect timing of a yellow flag that was ironically caused by Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Takuma Sato, Scott Dixon found himself in the lead and never looked back en route to winning the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at World Wide Technology Raceway.

On a day where three drivers finished on the lead lap, Dixon dominated at Gateway, leading 123 of 260 laps and kept himself in the championship hunt. The driver of the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda did a masterful job saving fuel, following the caution for Sato.

In an impressive showing, Dixon pitted a total of three times, while positions second through ninth made five pit stops. The six-time INDYCAR champion’s performance at the Gateway short oval is just another reminder of why he’s still one of the best at 43 years old.

This is Dixon’s 55th career win in the NTT IndyCar Series and his second consecutive win, after taking the Gallagher Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course the last time out.

“I am so happy for everybody,” Dixon said. “We took a good penalty today with one of those changes. We had to go the alternate route and it worked perfectly.

“The Honda mileage was great once again. I know everybody at Chip Ganassi Racing does a tremendous job going after the championship and it’s a huge accomplishment for everybody.”

Even being one of several drivers to receive a grid penalty for an unapproved engine change couldn’t stop “The Iceman” from spanking the field.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports driver David Malukas were the only other drivers to finish on the lead lap on Dixon’s dominant day at Gateway, after finishing second and third respectively.

O’Ward’s runner-up finish was the fourth of the year and his seventh podium overall. Despite being so close to reaching Victory Lane on multiple occasions in a winless 2023 season, the young Mexican driver left Gateway impressed by Dixon’s Sunday drive.

“Scott Dixon did Scott Dixon today,” O’Ward said. “When they were telling me on the radio, the No. 9 car is trying to make it until the end, he’s going to make it until the end. I was mentalized that we were second in true running, and man, the lappers just don’t help any.

“There’s two to go, so hopefully we’ll get that elusive No. 1 we’re trying to look for in this season and keep on pushing. I’m happy with the strategy today, I was happy with my car, but it was Scott Dixon.”

Third-place finisher, Malukas, picked up his second career INDYCAR podium. His first podium occurred a year ago at the same track when he challenged Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden for the win in the closing laps in 2022.

With less than 50 laps to go, Newgarden’s quest to sweep all the oval races in 2023 came to an abrupt end. The No. 2 PPG Chevrolet washed up the track and smacked the Turn 2 wall.

Unfortunately, a 25th-place finish meant he won’t end 2023 with a sweep on the oval tracks. Newgarden (-125) was also eliminated from championship contention, which remains a two-horse race between Ganassi drivers, Dixon (-74) and points leader Alex Palou.

“I was just trying to catch up,” Newgarden said. “I knew we were going to lose to someone in fuel save, mostly likely (Scott) Dixon or somebody even if the yellow comes out, we were still behind.

“So I was just trying to get through cars as quickly as I could after I pitted, and it didn’t work out. I got into the marbles, just a touch too high. I was trying, trying to catch up and ended up not being a good move.”

Josef Newgarden won’t end 2023 perfect on the ovals. (Photo: Joe Skibinski | Penske Entertainment)

Sato brushed the exit of the Turn 2 wall and spun on Lap 122, causing a caution flag. Then, another Ganassi driver experienced troubles on pit road shortly afterward.

Marcus Ericsson’s No. 8 crew didn’t get the left-rear wheel tight during the tire change. When Ericsson pulled away, the wheel fell off, forcing the team to put it back on which cost them valuable time in the pits.

Luckily for the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda, this happened under caution and not during the green flag because it could’ve destroyed his race. Ericsson still managed to get a top-10 finish.

On the opening lap, the field stacked up during a slow initial start, which resulted in Ed Carpenter getting into the rear of Benjamin Pedersen. The AJ Foyt Racing driver was sent into the Turn 1 wall to bring out the first caution flag of the race.

Carpenter was given a stop-and-hold penalty for avoidable contact for causing this incident with Pedersen.

The NTT IndyCar Series will travel to the Pacific Northwest next weekend for the BitNile.com Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway. Coverage will begin on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.

Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Race Results