Scott Dixon wins dramatic IndyCar title at Sonoma
Monday 31 August 2015 07:51, UK
Scott Dixon captured a stunning fourth IndyCar championship by winning a dramatic season finale on the very last lap to snatch away the title from Juan Pablo Montoya.
Montoya led the points from the season-opening race right until the final lap at Sonoma, California, on Sunday - but he finished the race in sixth, which allowed Dixon to tie him in the standings.
Dixon was awarded the title based on wins; Sonoma Raceway was his third victory, while Montoya had only two.
Montoya's day was made difficult on lap 39 when he hit Team Penske team-mate Will Power. It sent him to pit lane for repairs and he was mired in the middle of the pack for the bulk of the race.
Although he picked off a few positions, his charge to move up to fifth - which would have given him the title - fell one position short.
"There was still a chance, and that's what we were hoping for," Kiwi Dixon said. "I still can't believe it. We were such a long shot."
Dixon and team owner Chip Ganassi celebrated by leaping from the championship stage to crowd surf.
It was one of the few uplifting moments at the end of a sombre week following the death of Justin Wilson.
Wilson was struck in the head by a piece of debris from another car last Sunday at Pocono Raceway and died a day later from his injuries. Dixon was one of the many supporters who remained in Pennsylvania to stay with Wilson's family at the hospital.
"We all raced with heavy hearts this weekend," Dixon said. "It's been a very tough week. It's such a small community. But Justin would have wanted us to go out and race, and today I gave it my all from when the green flag dropped. Much love to the Wilson family."
