WELLINGTON - Young New Zealand racing driver Scott Dixon won the first round of the 2000 Dayton Indy Lights championship at Long Beach in California yesterday.
Dixon, aged 19, who finished second at Long Beach last year, qualified on the front row of the grid.
The fastest qualifier for the race and for much of it the leader, Jonny Kane, spun with just four laps to go. Australian newcomer Jason Bright finished second and veteran Fellpe Giaffone third.
The win bodes well for Dixon, who finished fifth overall at his first attempt at the Indy Lights championship last year.
"It's a good start," he said afterwards. "Jonny had a faster car but with three yellow flag caution periods he couldn't get away and I was fairly sure that if I kept up the pressure he would make a mistake."
The win gives Dixon the lead in the 2000 championship points standings with 20 points, four more than Bright and six more than Giaffone.
The second round will be held at Milwaukee on June 5.
- NZPA
Motorsport: Brilliant start in US by Dixon
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