Scott Dixon Wins SunTrust Indy Challenge

Scott Dixon led the final 160 laps and held off Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dario Franchitti for his third IndyCar Series win of the season Saturday night in the SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway.

Dixon’s winning margin was 0.319 seconds and his second career victory at America’s Premier Short Track pushed him to second in the series points standings, just one shy of teammate Franchitti. With the win, Dixon also equaled Sam Hornish Jr.’s IndyCar Series record for career victories, which stands at 19.

Franchitti started from the pole and led 65 total laps, but Dixon took the lead for good on Lap 139 when Franchitti pitted for a splash of fuel and had to return to pit lane for entering a closed pit.

“Tonight was a premium to save some

fuel,” said Dixon. “I saved a little more than Dario in the first stint and he got caught out with that yellow, and I was able to continue on and jump him in the pits. That was the pass for the lead.”

Graham Rahal finished third - his best oval finish - in the No. 02 McDonald's entry for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.

“For us to get this result, to come home second to the Target Team, is like a victory for us,” Rahal said. The guys did a great job in the pits and to be standing on the podium finally on an oval feels pretty good and to kind of give us momentum into the next couple of road courses where we feel we should be one of the favorites, it’s a good improvement.”

Hideki Mutoh, who led the first laps of his IndyCar Series career, finished fourth in the No. 27 Formula Dream car and Andretti Green Racing teammate Danica Patrick was fifth.

Franchitti, who earned a bonus point for winning the PEAK Performance Pole Award, took the championship points lead (279-278) over Dixon, though it was little consolation.

“I’m obviously disappointed not to have won,” Franchitti said. “It came down to a track position race. Scott and I were very equal in performance tonight.”