The stakes couldn't be higher for Scott Dixon, heading into Monday's Indianapolis 500.
The Kiwi will start on pole for the fifth time in his career, chasing his second win in the famous race.
What's more, Dixon's hopes of claiming a record-equalling seventh IndyCar championship title also hang in the balance.
Dixon's Indy 500 qualifying run broke records this week, as he became the fastest-ever pole qualifier, but he knows all too well that it won't mean much when it comes to race day.
"I guess the only thing it guarantees you is that you start from that position," Dixon said. "You now know the hard part starts with trying to keep it there."
Dixon has only managed to overcome that challenge once in four previous attempts, back in 2008.
"I think having been in that situation, you just want it that much more," he added. "It's a big deal, it's the biggest race in the world.
"Everybody wants to win it."
That includes fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin, who admits the 41-year-old has a target on his back.
"He's been the car to beat all month here in 500," McLaughlin said. "He's going to be very hard to beat."
Six-time IndyCar champion Dixon hopes to prove that statement true, because he's learned the hard way - the prestigious race has the ability to make or break his entire season.
"Last year, I think that's what took us out of the championship," Dixon added. "We had a bad result here and it's double points - this is a big points event."
Winless in 2022 and with just two top-five finishes, Dixon needs all the points he can get.
"It's been a pretty horrendous start for us and lots of it has just been simple mistakes that we've made.
"We'll keep digging here and hopefully this is the turning point in the season that we need."
The Kiwi hopes he won't have to wait another year for Indy 500 victory, while getting his bid for another championship crown back on track.
