MADISON - New Zealander Scott Dixon walked away from a crash with his car in flames during round 10 of the US Indy Lights motor racing championship in Madison, Illinois, yesterday.
Dixon, who went into the race needing just two points to sew up his first title in North America's second-tier single-seater championship, saw his points lead cut from 42 to 20.
Dixon started second on the grid and had settled into second position behind the pole winner, American Townsend Bell, for the first 18 laps.
On lap 19 Dixon lost the rear end of his car going into turn three and hit the wall heavily. The car caught fire but Dixon managed to climb out and was released uninjured after a short medical check.
"My car had a lot of understeer from the start," Dixon said. "My accident was kind of strange because there was no contact with any other cars when my car stepped out on me a little at turn three. I was able to save it, but I still had to make my turn into three.
"When I started to turn, the back end completely stepped out and I hit the wall. I'm fine, but I just feel bad for my crew because they worked so hard all week.
"We'll just look forward to Houston now and try to get back some of the points we lost today."
Before this accident Dixon had completed all but one lap in the championship this season.
Bell, his nearest rival, won. Second was American Casey Mears and Australian Jason Bright was third. Dixon leads the championship with 134 points from Bell on 114, Mears 107, Felipe Giaffone, of Brazil, 97 and Bright 91, with races in Houston (October 1) and Fontana (October 29) remaining.
- NZPA
Motorsport: Dixon escapes as flames engulf car
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