Scott Dixon hailed a 'perfect' weekend at Mid-Ohio after taking pole position and victory

Having suffered his share of bad luck and misfortune so far this season, Dixon was relieved to safely navigate two safety car periods and emerge with his first win of the season.

Victory not only enabled Dixon to close in on the overall points lead, but also gave his side of the Target Ganassi garage welcome momentum following team-mate Dario Franchitti's four victories this year.

"It's definitely nice to have a smooth weekend for a change," Dixon said following the race. "I'm just excited for the team - Dario has obviously been doing a hell of a job, so for us to have pole and win the race was great.

"Hopefully we can carry on this trend and get the #9 car back into the points chase, even if we are a long way back."

Despite his apparent ease out front, Dixon's race had the potential to swing on a second full course yellow which allowed Franchitti to pass him for the lead. Dixon attacked at the restart however and passed Dario at the first opportunity, slipping up the inside.

"Dario obviously moved back to the typical line which is what you have to do, but it left the inside line open for me," Dixon explained.

"The way the rules are Dario couldn't really defend so I slipped the car in there, he gave me plenty of room and that was that. It was all perfect."

Franchitti conceded that he had been helpless to keep Dixon behind, saying: "I got a good restart, maybe too good because Scott just pulled in behind, drafted me and before the braking zone he was already alongside me.

"He did a great job on that restart, as he did on every lap this weekend. Hes been on fire from the test onwards."