Published: May 25, 2008 11:45 pm            

Indianapolis 500 notebook: After 500 victory, Dixon may be primed for IndyCar title

INDIANAPOLIS — If current history is any indication, Scott Dixon will add his second IndyCar Series title to his resume later this year.

The driver from New Zealand won the Indianapolis 500 for the first time Sunday and assumed the lead in the series point totals. He won the series title in 2003, his first year in the series with Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

A year ago, Dario Franchitti won the 500 for the first time and won the series championship. Sam Hornish Jr. also won the race and title in 2006 and Dan Wheldon claimed both honors in 2005.

Dixon was second in the final series totals last year and was fourth in 2006. He has won 12 times in the series and now has won twice this season.

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Race trivia:

• A car No. 9 has won the 500 four times;

• Marco Andretti finished second, his second top-three finish in three starts;

• Buddy Lazier, the 1996 winner, improved his position more than any other driver. He started 32nd and finished 17th;

• Buddy Rice, the 2004 winner, finished eighth. He finished 25th twice and 11th in his other starts at Indy.

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• Pair honored — Honors were given to a mechanic and member of the media this week.

Andy O’Gara, chief mechanic for the No. 67 entry driven by Sarah Fisher, was named the winner of the 22nd Clint Brawner Award given for mechanical excellence.

O’Gara is married to Fisher, who has been plagued by lack of sponsorship money this month.

• Bob Jenkins was presented the Bob Russo Award by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

This award is given to an individual who demonstrates interest and dedication to auto racing.

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• East, Cottle win — Bobby East and Shane Cottle were winners in U.S. Auto Club races run Saturday night.

At Anderson, Cottle dominated the Little 500 action for sprint cars, leading the 123 laps and 45 laps early in the 500-lap event in winning. Tony Elliott was second and Johnny Rodriguez third.

The action was marred by the death of a member of the Anderson Speedway safety crew who was on his way to clear debris from the track following a four-car accident on the 99th lap. He died of massive head injuries according to the Anderson Herald-Bulletin web site.

At Clermont, Bobby East won the Night Before 500 50-lap race for midgets.

East won his heat and led every lap of the feature. Chase Scott won the semi and took second and Tracy Hines was third. Hines remained first in points, holding a three-point lead over East going into Friday’s race in Wisconsin.



Little 500 results

Fast qualifier — Doug Heveron.

Feature — Shane Cottle, Tony Elliott, Johnny Rodriguez, Ryan Litt, Russ Gamester, Rex Norris III, Billy Puterbaugh Jr., Brad Armstrong, Ike Beasley, Jeff Bloom, Jeff Banyas, E. J. Calloway, Brandon Whited, Mark Hall, Tom Paterson, 27. Mat Neely.

Night Before 500 results

Fast qualifier — Kody Swanson.

Heat winners — Swanson, Bobby East, Shane Hmiel, Bobby Santos III, Chase Scott (semi 1), Brad Loyet (semi 2).

Feature — East, Scott, Tracy Hines, Swanson, Santos, Brady Bacon, Levi Jones, Brad Sweet, Billy Wease, Ricky Ehrgott, Dave Darland, Loyet, Cole Carter, Chad Boat, Brian Olson, 20. Mario Marietta.

USAC midget point leaders — Hines 387, East 384, Swanson 368.

        

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