The Associated Press
Scott Dixon is having one of those near-perfect seasons, and it's more than a little frustrating for the guy trying to chase him down.
Dixon came from behind Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway, passing Helio Castroneves coming off the final turn on the 1.5-mile oval to win the Meijer Indy 300 in Sparta, Ky. It was the second win in a row and the sixth victory of the season for Dixon, tying the record of Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon as he races toward what would be his second IndyCar Series championship.
Series runner-up Castroneves, still trying for his first victory of the season and his first series title as he chases Dixon, tried to get this one with fuel strategy.
It looked as if Castroneves had it when he took the lead with six laps to go when Dixon, who had dominated most of the 200-lap race, was forced to make a fuel stop.
Dixon came out just over 6 seconds behind the Brazilian but steadily cut into the margin. He started the final lap just six-tenths of a second behind and finally passed Castroneves as the leader slowed coming off the fourth turn, out of fuel.
Castroneves then coasted slowly across the finish line, barely holding off Marco Andretti.
"I knew he was a little bit slow and I could see us catching him, and to get him on the last corner was pretty fantastic," Dixon said. "I said that view was pretty sweet.
It was the seventh second-place finish of the season for the frustrated Castroneves.
The finish was almost as frustrating for Andretti, also winless this season. The son of Andretti Green Racing co-owner Michael Andretti lost his shot at his second career victory and first since August 2006 when he had to make his final pit stop on Lap 189.
ALSO SATURDAYTOYOTA TUNDRA 200: Johnny Benson became the fifth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver to win three straight races, passing Erik Darnell with three laps left and pulling away to victory at Nashville Superspeedway in Gladeville, Tenn.
Benson, the winner of four of the last five races, joined Mike Skinner (1996 and 2007), Ron Hornaday (1997), Greg Biffle (2000) and Todd Bodine (2005) as the only drivers to win three races in a row in the series' 13-year history.
Darnell held on to finish second. Polesitter Bodine led the first 74 laps and finished third. Jack Sprague was fourth, followed by Hornaday.
Benson had a fast truck early, charging from 16th to fourth by lap 30. But his Toyota was loose and he spent much of the first half of the race outside the top 15.
While never totally satisfied with his truck's performance, Benson's fortunes turned at the halfway mark of the 150-lap event when he picked up 10 positions during a yellow-flag pit stop.
LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS: Tony Schumacher took the No. 1 qualifying position in his bid for a fourth consecutive victory and ninth overall win of the season at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.
The Top Fuel points leader had his fifth No. 1 qualifying performance of the season and 66th of his career with a 3.864-second run at 312.21 mph from Friday.
Ashley Force, Greg Anderson and Matt Smith also topped their divisions in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series event.
Force claimed her second straight No. 1 qualifying performance in her Ford Mustang Funny Car with her Friday run of 4.110 at 299.40.
Anderson earned his fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 66th of his career in Pro Stock based on his Friday performance of 6.679 at 206.76.
Fellow native Minnesota racers Kurt and Warren Johnson had the quickest cars during Saturday's two sessions and moved up to second and third, respectively.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be published, broadcast or redistributed in any manner.
Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.