Scott Dixon finished on the podium for a seventh time in eight years at Barber Motorsports Park but has yet to taste victory as the New Zealander was forced to settle for second behind Josef Newgarden on Sunday.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver had a great battle up front for much of the race but found himself passed into the penultimate turn by the Team Penske driver for what was then second place, which turned out to be the defining moment of the race as not long after, race leader Will Power was forced to pit with a deflating tyre.
Dixon believed that he would have been able to pull away at the front of the field had he been able to get the jump on the Penske’s, but ultimately was forced to settle for his fifth runners-up spot at Barber.
“What a great race here at Barber,” said Dixon. “Another second-place finish for the 9 car. I think that’s our fifth runner-up here. One of these days we’re going to win here.
“We had a great NTT Data car and we were right up in the mix for the win at the end. We just didn’t have enough there, but all in all a good points day for the team.
“I saw (Josef Newgarden) late coming into (Turn) 15 or 16 on the last restart and I tried to turn down but the car was just so neutral I just didn’t have the rear grip to pull it off. Kudos to Josef – he drove a hell of a race and the win was well deserved. The NTT Data car was strong in the race.
“I think we actually had the speed – I think if we would have had clean air in that race we would have checked out. I feel bad for Will Power too – I think maybe a flat tyre there or something. It was definitely a good fight.”