Motorsport: Dixon ninth in Daytona 24-hour race

New Zealand champion motor racing driver Scott Dixon finished ninth in the Daytona 24-hour endurance race in the United States yesterday.

Dixon, driving a Lexus for the Chip Ganassi team, teamed up with American Scott Pruett, Italian Max Papis and Mexican Jimmy Morales.

The race was won by the Boss Motorsport team of Andy Wallace of Britain and Americans Dale Earnhardt Jr and Tony Stewart in a Chevrolet.

This is the first time Dixon has competed in the sports car event, which attracts the top drivers from the NASCAR, IRL and CART racing series.

Dixon, the reigning Indy Racing League champion, now turns his attention to the opening race of the IRL on February 29 at Homestead, Miami.

- NZPA