Kiwi Scott Dixon rode his luck to win the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
The IndyCar veteran has finished runner-up at the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course the past three years, but turned a seventh-place starting spot into a race win this time round.
The 39-year-old got a little fortunate with pit strategy and cautions, while Australian rival Will Powers' botched pitstop certainly helped, but Dixon struggled to wipe the smile off his face when he entered victory lane.
"It's so good to be standing here, racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Dixon said, after pumping his fist in a mostly empty and silent renovated winner's circle.
"We got lucky, man - but I'll take it."
The win was Dixon's second straight to start the coronavirus-interrupted season and his 48 series wins had him within striking distance of Mario Andretti (52). American legend AJ Foyt is the all-time win leader with 67.
Graham Rahal came home in second, with defending race champion Simon Pagenaud completing the podium.
It's the first time in Dixon's two-decade career he has opened the season with consecutive wins.
Next weekend, the teams head to Wisconsin's Road America course for a doubleheader, with the Indianapolis 500 scheduled for August 24.
