Dixon: IndyCar Detroit GP winner could be “last man standing”
Six-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon has warned that Sunday’s Detroit Grand Prix could be a case of ‘the last man standing gets the victory’.
Speaking after qualifying fourth for the 100-lap race around the new street course in downtown Detroit, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dixon joined many drivers in likening the event to Nashville, which has gained a reputation for producing chaotic IndyCar races.
When Dixon was asked by NBC Peacock what he expected from Sunday’s race, he replied: “Probably a lot of unexpected things to happen! I dunno, if you watched the Indy NXT race, you could see some mixed feelings out there.
“The start is going to be key for sure, we saw how that went for them – the leader was taken out. So it may be somewhat similar to Nashville and the last man standing is the one who gets the victory.”
His Arrow McLaren rival Pato O’Ward agreed with his sentiments and also pointed to the split pitlane and narrow exit as potential flashpoints.
“I think it’ll be about survival,” O’Ward said. “Is it going to be as crazy as Nashville, I don’t know. Does it have the potential to be as crazy as Nashville? Absolutely.
“I think it’s going to be tricky with the [pit lane] blend line where it is and when the yellows fall, when they take it or don’t take it. I think it’ll definitely be interesting.”
Romain Grosjean, Andretti Autosport Honda
Photo by: Art Fleischmann
Third-placed qualified Romain Grosjean of Andretti Autosport believes that fortune will play a major role in the outcome.
“If there’s one day in the year you need to be lucky, it’s tomorrow,” he said. “A lot can happen and it’s about being in the right time at the right place.
“Hopefully we’ll get lucky, but it’s not been our strength so far this year.”
Team Penske’s Will Power, who starts seventh, added: “You don’t know how these races are gonna go, it’s a pretty wild track.
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter where you qualify, but it’s all good. Seventh ain’t bad, it’s on the inside and it’s pretty bumpy there.
“Sometimes you think it’s going to be yellow after yellow and it doesn’t. I’d say it’s going to be pretty hectic.”
McLaughlin: IndyCar drivers criticising new Detroit track “need to relax”
IndyCar Detroit: Palou wins action-packed revived downtown race
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins 2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
2023 F1 Japanese GP qualifying results: Verstappen takes pole
2023 F1 Japanese GP qualifying results: Verstappen takes pole 2023 F1 Japanese GP qualifying results: Verstappen takes pole
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future?
Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future? Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future?
How Dixon shrugged off “heated moments” for IndyCar finale victory
How Dixon shrugged off “heated moments” for IndyCar finale victory How Dixon shrugged off “heated moments” for IndyCar finale victory
The two key areas where Dixon needs to re-assert his authority
The two key areas where Dixon needs to re-assert his authority The two key areas where Dixon needs to re-assert his authority
IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2
IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2 IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2
McLaughlin “hit everything but the pace car” at IndyCar finale
McLaughlin “hit everything but the pace car” at IndyCar finale McLaughlin “hit everything but the pace car” at IndyCar finale
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Espargaro: MotoGP "needs to think about" better managing hotter races
Espargaro: MotoGP "needs to think about" better managing hotter races Espargaro: MotoGP "needs to think about" better managing hotter races
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders
Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders
Aston Martin gives Jessica Hawkins first full F1 test outing
Aston Martin gives Jessica Hawkins first full F1 test outing Aston Martin gives Jessica Hawkins first full F1 test outing
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up? Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.