Kiwi Scott Dixon will take a 32-point lead in the IndyCar championship standings heading into the final race of the season in St Petersburg later this month.
On Sunday (NZ time), Dixon finished eight in the second race of a double header at Indianapolis Motor Speedway adding to his ninth place finish 24 hours earlier.
Heading into the double race weekend, Dixon led nearest rival Josef Newgarden by 72 points in the standings, but after the American claimed a win and a fourth-place finish, he managed to trim 40 points off the lead.
Sunday's race was won by Aussie Will Power, with American duo Alexander Rossi completing the podium.
At one stage during the season, Dixon led by 117 points in the standings, but now the race for the IndyCar will be decided on October 26.
A ninth-place finish in three weeks - regardless of Newgarden's performance - will ensure Dixon win's his sixth IndyCar championship.
"It's nice to still be on the leading side of the points at this stage," says Dixon. "It's still a good margin.
"Gives us a little bit of window. You know he [Newgarden] has to get most laps led, he has to get the four bonus points and we have to finish ninth.
"They've been very good in St. Pete too for many years so we're definitely going to have our work cut out."
The season finale will see three-time supercars champion Scott McLaughlin make his IndyCar debut ahead of an anticipated permanent move to the US.
