Watkins Glen notebook /By Larry Ott
Dixon goes in search of history
Updated: 07/05/08 6:59 AM
WATKINS GLEN — If anyone is to derail Scott Dixon from earning his record fourth consecutive IndyCar Series win in this Sunday’s Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, it’s apparent from Friday’s practice that the Target Chip Ganassi driver from New Zealand won’t go down without a fight.
Dixon, the winner of three IndyCar Series races to date in 2008 including the Indianapolis 500, posted the best combined practice speed here with a 1 minute, 30.194 second effort (134.509 mph).
Should he win on Sunday it will mark the first time in IndyCar Series history that a driver has won four consecutive events at the same track. He says that he is not putting any extra pressure on himself to keep the win streak alive.
“I believe pressure is what you put on yourself, to be honest,” said Dixon. “I know that winning three in a row was quite a long shot and four is even more so. This is a different year and we’re fighting for a different championship. It’s all about points but if we are lucky enough to win four in a row I will be quite happy.”
Placing second in practice Friday was Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves (1:30.289/134.368 mph), who is also trying to keep a Watkins Glen streak of his own alive. Castroneves will seek his fourth consecutive pole position in this event when qualifying takes place at 1:30 p. m. today.
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With the IndyCar Series first half-season of unification with the former Champ Car Series nearly in the books, Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League, is pleased with what he has seen so far. He says that the IndyCar Series is starting to see some positive fruits of its unification labors.
Accord to Angstadt, attendance is up at each race to date in 2008 although he did not reveal any specific attendance numbers, calling those confidential. He further stated that tracks on the second half of the schedule are also reporting that ticket sales are on pace to exceed previous seasons. The series is still searching for a title sponsor.
“In my opinion, getting a series title sponsor is absolutely necessary,” said Angstadt. “We can keep doing what we’re doing and we can make it or you can secure a good well-known big consumer brand, first choice to be your title sponsor. This would bring a lot of activation awareness, it spreads the word much farther and wider then any series could on their own. As far as a priority, getting a title sponsor is one through five on our list.”
The fields of cars have also grown from the average of about 17 that both Champ Car and the IndyCar Series each drew separately in previous seasons to an average of 26 cars in 2008. Series officials believe that as many as 29 entries could surface by later this year.
