Full Throttle

Scott Dixon held off teammate Dario Franchitti over the final 20 laps to win the Indy Challenge, his third IndyCar Series triumph of the year.

Dixon’s second victory on Saturday in the 300-lap, 225-mile feature at the Richmond International Raceway oval was the Kiwi driver’s 19th IndyCar Series victory, matching the all-time recod for the series that was formed in 1996.

“It was about patience,” Dixon said. “It was really tough to pass. I have to hand it to Dario. He was making it intense. We were able to save a little more fuel than him and that was the difference.”

Franchitti settled for second with American Graham Rahal third for his first IndyCar oval podium.

Despite finishing second to Dixon, the Scotsman moved two points ahead of his Ganassi Racing teammate in the season points championship.

“The points lead is definitely a bright spot,” Franchitti said. “A lot of people had worse days than we did.”

Japan’s Hideki Mutoh was fourth with Danica Patrick finishing fifth. Mutoh led the first 74 IndyCar laps of his career early in the race.

“I’m really proud of that,” Mutoh said.

Mutoh stayed in the lead mostly because passing opportunities were few and far between. Franchitti apologized to the fans for that.

“That was dreadful,” he said. “It was a track position race. Nobody could pass. Up at the front we were hanging on all night. We cannot get close enough to make those passes.”

Franchitti and Dixon led after the first set of pit stops and received a break midway into the race when England’s Mike Conway crashed to bring out a caution flag just as they needed fuel.

Refueling under the slow-speed caution period allowed Dixon, Franchitti and Rahal to gain an edge on the remainder of the field.

Dixon, whose wife is expecting a baby in three weeks, jumped into the lead with Franchitti second and Rahal third.

Patrick made her last pit stop with 74 laps remaining, hoping for a full-speed sprint to the end that would allow her fuel mileage edge to put her in position for a second career triumph.

But when Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves of Brazil hit the wall with 52 laps remaining, the three leaders were able to make their last pit stops under caution and Dixon edged Franchitti from the pits with Rahal third.

Dixon came upon slower traffic with 20 laps remaining but Franchitti could not make a pass and the positions stayed the same to the finish.

Ryan Briscoe, who completed every prior lap this season and led the season points chase when the race began, hit the wall in the backstretch and was knocked out on lap 26, finishing next-to-last in the 20-car field.

“I lost the rear on the exit of two. I was really battling an understeer problem,” Briscoe said. “It’s just so disappointing.”

The 18-race season reaches its midpoint next week at Watkins Glen, New York.

SunTrust Indy Challenge – Race result

1. Scott Dixon Ganassi 300 laps 1hr 48m 02.4703s
2. Dario Franchitti Ganassi +00.3109s
3. Graham Rahal NHLR +02.4085s
4. Hideki Mutoh AGR +13.5302s
5. Danica Patrick AGR +14.1111s
6. Tony Kanaan AGR +1 lap
7. Marco Andretti AGR +1 lap
8. Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon +1 lap
9. Robert Doornbos NHLR +1 lap
10. Dan Wheldon Panther +1 lap
11. Tomas Scheckter Dreyer & Reinbold +1 lap
12. EJ Viso HVM +1 lap
13. Ed Carpenter Vision +1 lap
14. Justin Wilson Dale Coyne +2 laps
15. Ryan Hunter-Reay Vision +2 laps
16. Mario Moraes KVRT +3 laps

Rtd Helio Castroneves Penske 245 laps completed contact
Rtd Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold 135 laps completed contact
Rtd Ryan Briscoe Penske 26 laps completed contact
Rtd Jaques Lazier 3G 0 laps completed contact

Fastest lap:
Scott Dixon Ganassi 0min 16.6070 lap 263