Kiwi Scott Dixon has had his IndyCar championship lead almost cut in half after rival Josef Newgarden won the opening race of a Indianapolis doubleheader on Saturday (NZ time).
Heading into the race Dixon held a 72-point advantage over his nearest rival, but after Newgarden's third win of the season that's been reduced to 40, with two races remaining.
American Alexander Rossi finished second and Dutch driver Rinus Veekay third, as Dixon limped home in ninth after dropping two places on the penultimate lap.
"It's still a bit of a hill, but now it's smaller," admits Newgarden, who is the reigning IndyCar champion.
Dixon will hope to restore a buffer in Sunday's second race in Indianapolis before the season finale in St Petersburg, Florida.
The season finale will see three-time supercars champion Scott McLaughlin make his IndyCar debut ahead of an anticipated permanent move to the US.
Dixon is chasing his sixth IndyCar title, having last won his championship in 2018.
