Dixon Hot At The Glen

By Joe Jennings
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Updated: July 4, 2008

WATKINS GLEN, N. Y. – Scott Dixon topped the speed charts at Watkins Glen International as practice got underway for Sunday’s Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, the 10th IndyCar Series race of the season.

Helio Castroneves and Vitor Meira were second and third fastest, respectively.

Three-time race winner Dixon turned the 3.4-mile, 11-turn road course at a speed of 134.509 miles per hour with Castroneves a tick of the watch behind at 134.358 mph.

“All in all it was a pretty good lap,” Dixon said. “The new Firestone tires played a big part with the speed. We had struggled this morning, but I was glad to see my teammate (Dan Wheldon) do well.”

Regarding Saturday’s qualifications, he added, “I’ve never sat on the pole here, and we have not been happy with our previous qualifying attempts. (Dixon qualified second behind Castroneves a year ago.) I would like to think we have a car good enough for the pole.”

Qualifications take place Saturday afternoon.

Asked about his chances for winning four consecutive races, Dixon stated, “Winning three in a row was a long shot and winning four in a row is beyond that. For us, this is just another race; it is all about the points.”

Castroneves expressed satisfaction with his speed and believes he can go faster. “I think my car has more speed in it, and I have a lot more (speed),” the flashy Brazilian said. “We had been trying some things and we did find something. The extra practice time is important. I think tomorrow’s qualifications will be a great battle.”

Meira’s speed was 133.766 with Will Power next in line at 133.693 and Tony Kanaan, the Richmond winner, fifth at 133.656.

Justin Wilson, Wheldon, Ryan Briscoe, Bruno Junqueira and Marco Andretti rounded out the top 10 on the speed charts.

Twenty-six cars were on the track and all but three topped 130 mph. The three slowest cars were those of Jay Howard, Jaime Camara and Milka Duno.