Scott Dixon has reflected on what could have been at this morning’s Xpel 375 event at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Kiwi holds the series lead with 153 points in the bank, meaning he’s 22 points ahead of Patricio O’Ward in second place. But, speaking post race a clearly disappointed Dixon was unhappy at a potential win gone begging.
“It was tough and very confusing at some points. Nobody wanted to lead,” Dixon said.
Dixon led over 100 laps (more than any other driver), and was defiant during each safety car restart he managed from the front. The defending champ later acknowledged that leading so many laps left them vulnerable as the race wore on.
“We got up to a point with that caution that we had to make a number, and instead of running where we’d like to at 214mph on average, we were having to back it down to 204s, 203s. Graham [Rahal] slowed us below 200, so we retook the lead,” he said.
“We were just burning fuel and that gave everyone else an advantage. Josef got lucky with the caution and the pits, and Pato did a good job.”
Dixon was congratulatory to O’Ward. The McLaren Arrow SP driver is now his closest title rival after besting Dixon, Rahal, and Josef Newgarden to claim the win — his first in IndyCar.
“Huge congrats to Pato. I was watching back from a few spots there and what he did at the end was a tremendous drive, especially over one of the best guys in the field. Hopefully he calms down a bit!”
Circumspect, Dixon noted that the weekend was still a very positive one for him and Chip Ganassi Racing. While he secured a first and a fourth, others struggled.
Colton Herta slipped down the order after only finishing 22nd and fifth, Will Power could only grab 14th and 13th, and Alexander Rossi’s horror season continued with an eighth and 20th.
“Terrific weekend for us, we’re leaving here heading into the month of may leading the points, which is good. It’s going to be tough. A lot of work to come,” he said.