Redemption is on the cards for Scott Dixon at next weekend’s Indy 500, with the Kiwi great looking to bounce back from a difficult outing in 2022 where he was penalised on Lap 175 of 200 for speeding in the pit lane.
Dixon had led 95 laps by that point and looked posied to battle for what would have been just his second Borg-Warner Trophy. One uncharacteristic mistake ultimately cost him that shot at success, the Kiwi forced to settle for 21st after serving a drive-through penalty.
“Really looking forward to the 500, as always with the Month of May,” says Dixon. “We’re going to try and go out to get some redemption from last year. I hope that our cars are as fast as they always are with Ganassi here for the 500. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible and get after this race and see what lies ahead.”
Despite not winning, Dixon did set some records in his 2022 quest, including becoming the all-time lap leading in Indianapolis 500 history, with 665 laps led over his career. He also set a record on his way to pole for the event, with a four-lap average speed of 234.046 mph (376.66 kph) to take top spot from qualifying for the second consecutive year.
Should he claim pole in this year’s event, Dixon will become the first driver to ever take pole position in three consecutive races, as well as tying Rick Mears’s record for the most poles in race history, with six.
The Chip Ganassi Racing #9 is starting his 21st Indy 500, with his sole win coming in 2008.
Scott McLaughlin will also line up in the year’s race for Penske, while two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato will race in place of Marcus Armstrong who is sitting ovals out.
The 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place from 3.00 am on May 28.
