OVERALL, Scott Dixon Says He — s had an "average" season in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. Though a solid third in the IZOD IndyCar Series championship - 59 points behind front-runner Will Power - three early-season incidents robbed him of points that potentially would have sliced that gap.
"To be in the situation that we are in the championship and for that to happen is kind of mind-boggling."— Scott Dixon
Dixon's run on the five ovals, however - from the .875-mile Iowa Speedway to the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway - has been anything but average. Four top-five finishes, including a pair of runner-up spots in the Firestone Twin 275s at Texas Motor Speedway, have provided Dixon with a 17-point cushion in the A.J. Foyt Oval Trophy chase entering the Kentucky Indy 300 (the final points-scoring race for the award).
Teammate Dario Franchitti, who earned the inaugural trophy in 2010, is second. Verizon Team Penske's Will Power, who was awarded the Mario Andretti Road Trophy, is 36 points back and Oriol Servia, driver of the No. 2 Telemundo Newman/Haas Racing car, is 37 out. The trophies are presented to the driver(s) who record the highest point total on the respective circuits.
"To be in the situation that we are in the championship and for that to happen is kind of mind-boggling just on the fact of the average year that we've had," Dixon said. "It would be a fantastic way to top off the year. I'm obviously very fond of A.J. and what he did in his career. On and off track the guy is a laugh, so it's cool to be a part of the oval championship and the whole championship."
The contenders entering the Kentucky Indy 300 and their oval synopsis:
Dixon (181 oval points)
Best start: Second (Indianapolis) Best finish: Second (Texas1, Texas2)
Average finish: 3.7
Kentucky Speedway highlights: One victory (2008), two poles (2008, '09); four top-five finishes in eight races.
Franchitti (164 oval points)
Best start: First (Milwaukee) Best finish: First (Texas1, Milwaukee)
Average finish: 7.7
Kentucky Speedway highlights: One top-five finish in six races; front-row starter in 2007, '09.
Power (145 oval points)
Best start: Third (Texas1) Best finish: First (Texas 2)
Average finish: 8.0
Kentucky Speedway highlights: Front-row starter in 2010; two top 10s in three races.
Servia (144 oval points)
Best start: Second (New Hampshire) Best finish: Second (New Hampshire)
Average finish: 10.2
Kentucky Speedway highlights: Started and finished 12th in lone race in 2008.
