Dixon a hero of New Zealand motorsport

Scott Dixon’s fifth IndyCar Series championship adds another layer to his hero status in New Zealand motorsport.

The race driver originally from Manurewa ran a steady, mistake-free race to finish second in the IndyCar season finale, the Grand Prix of Sonoma, to race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. The result was more than enough to give the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda driver his fifth series championship in an 18-year career.

Dixon moves to second on the all-time championship winners list behind seven-time USAC winner AJ Foyt. The 38-year-old’s fifth championship creates a new record for title wins in the IndyCar Series era (1996–present) and he is also third on the all-time win list with 44 career victories to trail only AJ Foyt (67) and Mario Andretti (52).

“It’s all about the people and I’m the lucky one that gets to take it across the line,” Dixon said after the race. “I can’t thank Emma [Dixon] enough, she’s just been amazing through this whole season. It’s actually the anniversary of her father’s passing today so it’s obviously an emotional time for her and her family. I can’t thank everyone enough. The team, my teammates, everybody involved. This doesn’t come without a lot of hard work. We had a lot of grit and things that could’ve gone wrong.”

“Motorsport participants and fans all over New Zealand are proud to call Scott Dixon our own,” says MotorSport New Zealand CEO Brian Budd.

“We congratulate Scott on his history-making fifth IndyCar Series title – it’s an extraordinary achievement and well-deserved for one of the hardest-working and most talented drivers to come out of New Zealand.”

Mr Budd says Dixon has set yet another benchmark for other Kiwi competitors to strive for.

“When it comes to professionalism, race craft and sheer ability, Scott shows he has few equals. He has created an extraordinary career in motorsport and we look forward to seeing him continue his hugely successful partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing next season and future seasons to come.”

Media release: Relish Communications on behalf of MotorSport NZ

Image: IndyCar Series