Motorsport: Dixon pulsating with oval fever

Kiwi IndyCar driver Scott Dixon will have to go to extremes to have a better year than he did in 2008.

Leaving aside all the off-track awards and accolades he collected during the last 12 months, the defending IRL and Indianapolis 500 champion knows he has his work cut out to keep both titles.

Without appearing over-the-top, Dixon oozes a quiet, steely confidence heading into the opening round of this year's IndyCar series on the streets of St Petersburgh, Florida.

"For all of us it's exciting as everything is starting up again. I've been lucky enough to compete in another series, keeping myself busy," said Dixon from St Petersburgh. "But it's bloody good to be back getting ready for an IndyCar race."

After 12 years of fighting, the warring factions of Champ Car and IndyCar merged last year. While some of the drivers struggled adapting to ovals, they've had a season to get up to speed and will pose more of a challenge to the established IndyCar drivers, including Dixon.

But if pre-season testing is a guide, Dixon appears to be showing the form he exhibited last year. He set the record for the number of laps led, won a record-equalling six races and only finished outside the top 10 three times.

"It's kind of nice defending [IRL and Indy 500 titles]," said Dixon. "As long as we are consistent and work just as hard as last year we should be in a great position again."

Never being one to rest on his laurels, Dixon's new teammate Dario Franchitti could just be the bloke to egg him on to even bigger things. A former IRL and Indy 500 champion, Franchitti has abandoned his less than auspicious foray into Nascar racing and proved he still has the goods by setting the second-fastest time in recent testing back in an open wheeler.

"Dario is extremely motivated after a rough last year and he's keen to do well at St Pete's which will be great motivation for me. He's definitely going to be the guy to beat this year," said Dixon.

With Dixon and Franchitti piloting the red Target Chip Ganassi number nine and 10 cars respectively, the man Ganassi himself will be rubbing his hands in anticipation of another title.

Dixon's nearest challenger last year, and two-time Indy 500 champion, Helio Castroneves, has a fight on his hands just to make the grid. He's embroiled in a federal court battle over tax evasion charges to save his career so Will Power has been called up to join Ryan Briscoe at Team Penske.

Of the only two real rule changes of note for the 2009 season, one is the introduction of a softer compound tyre to encourage more overtaking. They'll only be used on the seven street and road courses and each team is required to use them for at least two racing laps.

The other - putting the car on pole - will earn drivers a point and two points go to the driver who leads the most laps.