IndyCar’s seven-way title war, led by a pair of 40-somethings, is delivering unparalleled excitement

My space. Black berries. President. All have come and gone in Scott Dixonreigned three decades atop the IndyCar Series.

The New Zealanders’ breakthrough championship came a lifetime ago at the age of 23 when George W. Bush was completing his first term as Commander-in-Chief. Five more IndyCar championships will follow in the 2020 season, leaving Dixon with six championships, a man shy of tying the legend of legends, AJ Foyt.

Now 42, Kiwi is chasing a seventh title in the coming weeks. Dixon has become an icon, Tom Brady’s version of IndyCar, in the American open wheel racing series, appearing with the 1911 Indianapolis 500. And unlike that Formula one with its 24 year old champion Max Verstappenor NASCAR and its two most recent Cup titles in Chase Elliott26 and Kyle LarsonAt 30 years old, Dixon holds the line for the former IndyCar guard.

He is not alone.

– Watch the season-long Formula One and W Series on ESPN
– No ESPN? Instant access

Dixon chases Spirit, the wild-eyed 41-year-old champion leader whose sole IndyCar title from 2014 has been marred by years of inconsistency, dotted with championships and maybes. While Dixon is on a mission to cement his legacy, the Australian is on a mission to prove he’s more than a one-time wonder by adding a second title before he retires.

Two races are left on the calendar to determine if the 40-plus crowd can retain the next-generation stars. A change of times is coming; kids in the field and mid-careers want to push the Dixons and Powers out into the pasture, and that’s where IndyCar’s end-of-season story is unlike any other in motorsport.

“You know, it’s been a 20-year span and I’ve seen the championship go a lot,” Dixon told ESPN. “I think Power has been extremely consistent this year. He’s created a completely different style of the season for himself. He’s really focused and has class, which is really great. But. a lot could change in the next two races.”

After 15 out of 17 laps, seven drivers were still in conversation about the title; They are locked in the tightest championship war of the modern era. From Power in first place with 482 points to the 23-year-old Mexican racer Pato O’Ward in seventh place, just 58 points apart the contenders for the penultimate round in Portland on September 4 and the season finale at Laguna Seca on September 11 left to run.

Both races offer up to 54 points to earn, with each winner guaranteed at least 50 to hit the winning lane. It makes the very small disparity between the finalist championship teams an easily surmountable shortfall for most people. And with the entire field using the same chassis model, the Dallara DW12, powered by a 750hp V6 turbocharged engine supplied by Chevrolet or Honda, the driver’s talent is what separates the cargo. with great cars.

“I’m really enjoying the season, and it’s just a product of IndyCar right now, which is the toughest open-wheel drive in the world,” Power said. “There are really 20 drivers that can win, week in, week out, and you don’t get that in any other series.

“Like, Formula One, having the same two or three guys do it all, which is fine if you’re a Red Bull fan or a Ferrari fan, but the championship is basically over and only half the season left to go I’m really happy to be a part of what’s happening here, fighting right before the IndyCar championship It’s still a mystery how it will end how. “

Between the 1st and 7th place riders, we have Power’s Team mate Penske Josef Newgarden, the two-time champion, who has recovered from a slow start to the season, racked up five wins en route to second place in the standings. The Tennessee native is three points off the lead. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dixon is at an incredible distance, 14 points in third, and his Swedish teammate Marcus Ericssonthe latest Indy 500 winner, is trailing Power by a meager 17 points.

Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion of Ganassi, came in fifth, but 43 points behind to clear. The 25-year-old from Spain, who hopes to leave the team and join O’Ward at Arrow McLaren SP in 2023, also has a lawsuit to settle later. sued by Ganassi for breach of contract. And on Friday, Penske’s Scott McLaughlinIndyCar sophomore, who grew up idolizing his countryman Dixon, is 54 points behind Power.

Only 2 races remain. Who will win the Astor Challenge Cup?#INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/jScigN8j3q

– NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 22, 2022

A win at Portland could break the top championship challengers from the group in the same way that a win for those at the bottom of the seven-deep rankings would put any of them in the lead when series arrives in Monterey. At a disadvantage to Palou, McLaughlin or O’Ward in Portland could also end their title bid if they are 54 points behind the championship lead.

“Right now, there are seven people driving with a viable hit, and it’s pretty mixed,” says Dixon. “Palou was last year’s champion that still hasn’t won a race this season, but we’ll be watching where he’s pretty strong. Marcus, he’s led the championship so much after beating Indy, and he’s there too, and Josef’s has just been unbelievable lately.

“There are so many ways that this championship could go with veterans like me and Power, younger boys like Pato and Alex, then a mid-career like Newgarden. It’s all over the place, man. And there’s a level of excitement of not really knowing what’s going to happen.”

Competitive quality is where Power draws its momentum to conquer its IndyCar rivals.

“Honestly, it’s not about driving or going really fast; what I love about racing in IndyCar is the level of endurance and skill you have to fight to win a single race that’s what I enjoy.” , I said. “It’s so hard to get everything right on one weekend that it’s funny trying to pick a winner for every race or champion until the end of the season. Like, if you win it. win, you did something amazing. Especially if you go away with a championship, as difficult as it is now, it’s like achieving the impossible. And the people you have to beat are all about that.”

The countdown has begun to calculate the IndyCar championship. The intergenerational scores will be settled in mid-September, as will the annual slugfest involving Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing. A rivalry between nations will be settled between the children of North America, Europe and the Australasian Islands.

And at the end of the title fray, O’Ward and his intertwined Arrow McLaren SP team are aiming to spoil the coronation for Penske, Ganassi, Power, Dixon and the rest of the contenders.

“I’m part of this new wave of talent who will replace the Dixons and Powers, and I want to be like one of them when I’m older. I hope to achieve as much as they have in the past. career,” said O’Ward. “To go against them for a championship at the start of my career was crazy, but we’re trying to get the old guys’ shoes back just like I am sure the new kids will try. get them from us in the future.

“Look, they’re the people I’ve been following since I was growing up, so go against them, try to beat Power and Dixon, we’re lucky to be running against them for the title. We’re young and we’re up against the best we’ve ever done. But we’re growing.”