Dixon Fast, As Usual, In IndyCar Practice At Watkins Glen

Scott Dixon flashes out of the inner loop en route to fastest time of the day at Watkins Glen International. [Joe Jennings Photo]

by Joe Jennings

Watkins Glen, N. Y. – Scott Dixon has raced in seven Verizon IndyCar Series events at Watkins Glen International and he’s won four of them, including his dominant victory in 2016. Fast forwarding to 2017, no one was surprised when he topped the speed charts in the opening day of practice on the legendary track.

The New Zealand native sped around the 3.4-mile, 11-turn course at a speed pf 146.843 miles per hour, coming within a whisker of eclipsing the track record.

“It is a combination of things that makes me so fast here,” Dixon said. “The car is very strong and the track suits my style. We have worked hard to get where we are and we also had a good test here recently. And this place is one I really enjoy racing on. You also enjoy it because you have a good car.”

Asked if he was shooting for the pole, he summed it up in one word, “Always!”

Australian Will Power was just about equally fast at 146.676 mph. He expressed frustration at not being in the number one spot, indicating the track is scary fast.

Graham Rahal timed third fastest.

Trailing the top three were reining champion Simon Pagenaud, Alexander Rossi, Helio Castroneves and Charlie Kimball.

Series point leader Josef Newgarden timed 11th fastest.

Max Chilton walked away from a high-speed crash in the second round of practice.

Qualifying takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. and will be telecast by the NBCSN on a delayed basis at 7 p.m. ET.

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