08/10/08

DIXON GETS WIN NUMBER SIX AT KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY INDYCAR MEIJER 300
IndyCar rolled into Sparta's sold out Kentucky Speedway Saturday with an exciting finish. KOI Auto Parts is a corporate sponsor of the Kentucky Speedway and fans saw the Meijer Indy 300 come down to a thrilling final straightaway finish.

Detroit Free Press Article- Link
Sunday, August 10, 2008

SPARTA, Ky. -- New Zealander Scott Dixon passed Helio Castroneves on the final straightaway to win the Meijer Indy 300 on Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. It was his second straight win and a record-tying sixth of the season for Dixon, who is trying to win his second IndyCar Series championship.

Castroneves, still trying for his first victory of the season and first series title, tried to get it on fuel strategy. It looked as if he had it when he took the lead with six laps left as Dixon, who had dominated most of the 200-lap race, was forced to make a fuel stop.

Dixon came out just over 6 seconds behind the Brazilian but steadily cut into the margin, finally passing Castroneves as the leader slowed coming off the fourth turn on the 1.5-mile oval, out of fuel. "I think this is the view Dario had on the last lap in Chicago last year," said Dixon, referring to Dario Franchitti, who passed him on the last lap to win the race and the championship last year in the season finale.

It was the seventh second-place finish for Castroneves. "I tried everything," he said. "Second seems to be my place." Dixon extended his series lead over Castroneves by 13 points to 78 with three races remaining.


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