IRL: Scott Dixon back on top with Motegi victory

Scott Dixon (Ganassi) has put himself back in the championship lead heading into the season finale at Homestead by winning the Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Motegi ring ahead of team-mate Dario Franchitti.

Penske driver Ryan Briscoe who had held a 25-points lead before the Japanese round, jeopardised his title chances by crashing in the pitlane just as he looked set to take the lead.

Right from the start, the Ganassi drivers took the lead and almost never relinquished it, with Franchitti immediately passing Mario Moraes (KVRT) to follow into second behind pole sitter Dixon.

Dixon and Franchitti then took off and soon had an over three seconds lead over Moraes.

The lead swapped at the first stops, with Franchitti running one lap further, emerging just ahead of Dixon, and then fending off his team-mate's challenges.

Meanwhile, Moraes had his share of bad luck as his crew struggled to get him refuelled after he parked out of position. Moreover, only half a tank of fuel went in and he would have to make an additional stop soon afterwards, dropping him to 20th.

At the next pit visits, Dixon managed to get back ahead of Franchitti as the Scot was blocked in traffic on his out-lap.

Briscoe ran several laps further than the leaders and pitted under a yellow and was set to take the lead but he lost control accelerating out of his pit, hitting the inside wall and ultimately losing 15 laps while his car was repaired.

In the end, the Australian finished 18th while his two main rivals took the chequered flag in first and second place, allowing Dixon to move back to 1st place in the standings while Franchitti was securing second.

Newman/Haas/Lanigan's Graham Rahal secured third by winning a spectacular battle with team-mate Oriol Servia and Moraes at the final restart.

It was a disappointing day for the three Japanese-born drivers. Hideki Mutoh (AGR) only recovered to 14th after his Friday accident, Kosuke Matsuura was 17th for Conquest, and Dreyer & Reinbold's Roger Yasukawa had to pit for a brake problem.

Indy Japan 300 – Race results

Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Scott Dixon Ganassi 1h51m37.6411s
2. Dario Franchitti Ganassi + 1.4475s
3. Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan + 3.2002s
4. Oriol Servia Newman/Haas/Lanigan + 7.3720s
5. Mario Moraes KV + 12.7643s
6. Danica Patrick Andretti Green + 16.1392s
etc.

IndyCar Standings – After Indy Japan 300

Pos Driver Points
1. Scott Dixon 570
2. Dario Franchitti 565
3. Ryan Briscoe 562
4. Helio Castroneves 403
5. Danica Patrick 381