Kiwis rule in US - Van Gisbergen, Dixon title double
Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday.
It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963.
It capped a dominant weekend for the 38-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race.
Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.
In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career.
Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch.
Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way.
The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago.
- with Reuters
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