New Zealand driver Scott Dixon led for 34 laps before being forced to retire from the Indy 200 motor race in the United States today.
Dixon started third on the grid and immediately shot to the front at Phoenix, Arizona, where he stayed until a gearbox problem ended his bid for his second successive victory.
Dixon, 22, won on his Indy Racing League debut at the start of this month in Florida.
He was naturally disappointed with his early exit from the race, which was won by Tony Kanaan.
"The car was very good, but we had a problem with the gearbox," Dixon said.
"It's really a shame because we had a chance to win another race. It's so disappointing to have a problem like this, but that's the way it goes.
"The Team Target guys did a great job and they are giving me cars that can win each race."
The bad luck also seemed to follow Dixon's team-mate, Tomas Scheckter, who had climbed from eighth to fourth.
During a late race caution flag, Scheckter's team told him to "go for the win".
On the restart a few laps later, Scheckter passed Felipe Giaffone on the outside, when he was hit in the left rear and spun into the wall.
He was not injured in the accident and wound up finishing 15th.
- NZPA
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