Kiwi Scott Dixon has edged closer to his sixth IndyCar championship, winning the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 in Illinois - his 50th career triumph.
After last weekend's heartbreaking second-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, Dixon bounced back to secure his fourth victory of the season, extending his lead atop the drivers' championship.
The 40-year-old finished ahead of Japan's Takuma Sato, who won last weekend's Indy 500 for the second time in his career.
He is also one of just three drivers to have won 50 or more races, with Mario Andretti (52) in second and AJ Foyt (67) in first.
"It's totally awesome," Dixon says of winning his 50th race. "Sato was coming strong at the end and I didn't realise how strong he was coming.
"We were kind of going into reserve mode to look after the engine and he was coming with a head of steam.
"I'm just so happy for this team. Last weekend was a bit of a bummer, so it was nice to get a win.
"Fifty, it sounds awesome. We've got to keep on trucking and get a few more."
Dixon now holds a 117-point buffer over American Josef Newgarden in the standings.
The second race at Gateway is on Monday, with three more events scheduled in the season, although a doubleheader at Mid-Ohio has been postponed, but could find its way back onto the calendar.
Dixon will start Monday's race in sixth on the gird.
