Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon believes the season-ending IndyCar races, which now feature three short oval tracks, will make the title race “definitely interesting.”
Dixon is looking for a seventh title this season — which might tie AJ ​​Foyt's all-time record — and is 53 points behind teammate Alex Palou. Team Penske's Will Power is second, 49 points behind Palou.
Power would have been closer had it not been for a costly accident with team-mate Scott McLaughlin in Toronto, which earned him a drive-through penalty that dropped him from fourth – ahead of Palou – to twelfth.
Dixon, who won three of the last 4 events last 12 months, earned his 141st profession podium in Canada, tying him with Mario Andretti on the all-time list. But last season, three of the last 4 tracks were road and street circuits – and he believes that favors one team specifically.
“I think it’s definitely interesting how it ends,” Dixon said. “We’ve got one road race left (Portland).
“What is this, four short (races)? Should be good for the Penskes, I think (smiles). Whether it was tailored that way, I have no idea.”
David Malukas and Will Power on the Milwaukee Mile Open Test
Photo: Penske Entertainment
IndyCar has dropped its Texas Motor Speedway round in 2024, replacing it with a doubleheader event on the one-mile oval track in Milwaukee, which returns to the series lineup for the primary time since 2015 on Labor Day weekend.
The second doubleheader took place at Iowa Speedway, where Team Penske won each races with McLaughlin and Power.
“But I think we had some really good cars in Iowa,” Dixon noted. “It was just a little different there. It was a battle for passing.
“We'll see. It's been some time since we've been to Nashville. It's been an important place for our band. Milwaukee has been previously.
“St. Louis… Anything's possible, man. We're gonna keep trying.”
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Photo: Phillip Abbott / Motorsports images
With twice as many points at stake because of the 2 races in Milwaukee — and McLaughlin proving his potential by scoring 90 more points within the title race within the doubleheader in Iowa — the teams shall be keeping track of this weekend, which comes after upcoming rounds in St. Louis and Portland.
“Milwaukee is going to be interesting,” he confirmed. “They actually need to work on the formula for those songs, because no one wants to only follow the leader.
“Unfortunately, the resurfacing at Iowa destroyed the very best short track we’ve had in five, 10 years.
“It shall be interesting to see the Milwaukee test for us, almost zero degrees, extremely difficult to pass. We should see the way it goes. I do know they’re talking about delivering a softer tire.
“The key is the step. You need three or four seconds in one section. It makes the race interesting, interesting. Firestone doesn't want to hear people talking about degradation, but it makes for great racing.”
