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Dixon Speeds To IndyCar Pole At Mid-Ohio As Track Record Tumbles

Scott Dixon put himself as the man to beat after setting a track record in qualifying at Mid-Ohio. [Andy Clary Photo]

Scott Dixon put himself as the man to beat after setting a track record in qualifying at Mid-Ohio.  [Andy Clary Photo]

 

Lexington, Ohio – In a record-setting day at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Scott Dixon, the 2014 race winner, raced to the pole position for Sunday’s Honda Indy 200, the 14th race of the season for the Verizon IndyCar Series.

Throughout the three stages of qualifications around the 2.258-mile road course, the 15-year old track record of 124.394 miles per hour of Dario Franchitti (1999) and Gil de Ferran (2000) was broken.

In the end, Dixon had the new standard of 125.869 mph or a time of 1:04.5814. And he did it behind the wheel of the Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Ten other drivers also bettered the previous mark.

“Last year (winning from last) was pot luck, and it was my mistake that put us back there,” said Dixon, a five-time winner at Mid-Ohio. “This year we rolled off pretty good and in qualifying, we had the pace and the car definitely has some speed in it. Hopefully, we can stay in front and have a chance for the championship.”

Asked to explain his dominance here, he credited the Ganassi team, which has won seven of the last races at Mid-Ohio. “Teams have certain tracks where they qualify and race strong,” he added.

Will Power will start alongside Dixon in the front row. His speed in the Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet was 125.681 mph.

“It’s going to take a normal day (to win) as (Scott) Dixon is really good around here and he knows how to win,” Power commented. “If it falls our way, we can definitely win.”

Row two qualifiers were Sebastien Bourdais and Helio Castroneves with Josef Newgarden and Charlie Kimball (the 2013 winner) behind them.

Ryan Hunter-Reay and Tony Kanaan start from row four, and Luca Filippi and Juan Pablo Montoya earned fifth row starting spots.

Chevrolet-powered cars took nine of the top-10 spots with Hunter-Reay having the only Honda.

For Honda, the manufacturer had 11 cars among the final 14 qualifiers, including local ace Graham Rahal, who started out well but said on his fast lap he was blocked by Sage Karam.

The 90-lap, 204-mile Honda Indy 200 will be telecast live by CNBC at 1:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

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