Can Dixon Repeat?

[GP Racer]

Now that we're 7 races into the season, I was just wondering what you guys think about Scott Dixon repeating as the IRL champ again?

Out of the 7 races, he has 4 top 10 finishes, with a best of second at Phoenix. He is 6th in the points, but his teammate is closing in, he has no poles, and he has 2 DNF's. Besides Phoenix, I don't think he has looked very sharp, and he hasn't been real competitive for wins.

Do you think the F1 talk has distracted him, or his car is uncompetitive, or do you think AGR and team Rahal have just stepped up there game to much, or am I just plain wrong, and Scott is doing fine?

What do you think?

[BootsOntheSide]

Honda have stepped up their game too much. Ganassi and Penske seem well-matched in terms of how their cars are performing, and Scott's driving as well as ever, he jsut doesn't have the horsepower to truly compete. As such, I doubt he'll finish much higher than 6th.

[climb]

Spot on Boots, Honda dominance seems really overwhelming.
Unless IRL permits something like last year with GM-Cosworth, non-Honda wins can be due only to pure casualty, and not in a sufficient number to grant a title win.

I reckon it's gonna be the right year for the Andretti team.

[bluefeather]

Originally posted by climb
I reckon it's gonna be the right year for the Andretti team.

Unfortunately for this Sam Hornish fan, that seems to be the case. However, I'm not going to sweat it because the competition is great! It confirms that back to back championships are getting harder to accomplish. Hornish was that good, but the competition is raising their game level as well.

[Kicking-back]

If Toyota find something it could all change round.

[rush1]

Rice's win at Kansas will give him even more confidence. Toyota will have to get their act together very soon. I think the champion will come from the current top three Kanaan, Wheldon or Rice.

[AllofaSutton]

I also agree that a Honda will win the championship. Scott has driven well this year but I'll put my money on either Weldon or Kanaan. Go Andretti Green!

[climb]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
If Toyota find something it could all change round.

Can they actually find it?
Theoretically engine should be unchangeable, should they?

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by climb
Can they actually find it?
Theoretically engine should be unchangeable, should they?

I think your right climb.

Didn't Chevy have to get some special consideration to change their engine last year, when they brought in Cosworth?

Alot of you guys seem to think that it's mostly Scotts car that has been keeping him from winning, and I agree to a point. Honda is really on top of their game. But IMHO, I think he's been driving alittle timidely out there, taking very few chances. He seems very anonomous out there, riding the mid-field pretty much the whole race, never seriously challenging. Hornish, Manning, and Helio seem much more aggresive. I also noticed how badly he's driven in the two IROC races so far.

I can't help but feel he is saving himself for F1.

[Tim Northcutt]

Originally posted by climb
Can they actually find it?
Theoretically engine should be unchangeable, should they?

Not really.....

The manufacturers actually can change some components (intakes, fuel injectors, exhaust-related areas, etc....) but they are very limited in the number of areas or aspects that they can revise on the engines during the season....

During the Kansas telecast, the announcers commented that Penske and Ganassi did have a few changes that Toyota had made (can't remember if it was in the intake manifolds or in the fuel injectors)....and they added that if those changes worked, they would be rolling them out for the other teams in the following races...


Toyota's dominance last year was due to changes they made in march and April to create an "Indy Qualifying Engine" that ended up being so strong and reliable that they made it the race motors for their teams...

The big reason why Chevy was granted the special dispensation last year to change to the "Chevy-Worth" was because the changes to make the "real" Chevy competitive went far outside of the scope of things they were allowed to change....and those changes would have taken months to refine and perfect...

we're talking MAJOR changes...like completely redesigning the heads and the pistons kind of changes to the "dog Chevy" from the first half of last year...

But the manufacturers can in fact refine or change those limited areas...

So don't count Toyota out yet....

they have plenty of money and motivation...and you know that Penske and Ganassi are turning their dynos with every new idea Toyota comes up with and giving them feedback....so the data from three sources (including TRD's in-house data) should be telling them where to go and what needs further study...

[Teretonga]

I think there maybe something else going on in Scotts mind.

If he takes risks with a car that isn't capable of hitting a top five is it worth it just to push past the limit rather than make the most of the car at its limit but don't go beyond it.
He doesn't need a Brack style accident and I still wonder if a door to F1 isn't still open at the moment.
he signed with Chip for the time being but i think some brokering is still going on.

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by Teretonga
I think there maybe something else going on in Scotts mind.

If he takes risks with a car that isn't capable of hitting a top five is it worth it just to push past the limit rather than make the most of the car at its limit but don't go beyond it.
He doesn't need a Brack style accident and I still wonder if a door to F1 isn't still open at the moment.
he signed with Chip for the time being but i think some brokering is still going on.

But there are other Toyota and Chevy drivers out there, who are pushing there cars to the limit and points beyond. Nobody obviously, wants a Brack style accident, but it shouldn't keep you from driving hard, and its not keeping other's from being aggressive.

I think that Castroneves, Hornish, Manning, Matsurra, Scheckter, and Barron have all been more aggressive than Dixon this year. He's not driving like a defending champion IMO. I do agree with you though, that the F1 option is probably still out there, and that is the most likely reason for his lackluster season so far...

[BootsOntheSide]

Those guys have gone into the wall or other drivers more often though GPR. Dixon won the title with consistancy last season, and he's probably trying to repeat that as best he can.

[esorniloc]

Of the 7 races this year, Honda have won 6 and had pole 6 times as well.

Most of the races are seeing the Honda's up there and they are good teams with good drivers.

I wonder if it would be possible for a team to change engines mid season? Although I can't really see Ganassi switching from Toyota to Honda after he dropped Honda in the past!

[sr230772]

ganassi there's gotta be real problems there right the way through the team there not performing at all maybe it is toyota are they losing interest in the irl and eying up nascar who knows but chevy have been awful for 2 years

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by sr230772
ganassi there's gotta be real problems there right the way through the team there not performing at all maybe it is toyota are they losing interest in the irl and eying up nascar who knows but chevy have been awful for 2 years

With Sam and Helio coming in second and third for Toyota, and T Bell coming in fifth for Chevy, things aren't as bad as you think for those manufacturers. Like I said, Dixon just doesn't seem to be after it this year. This was another invisible race for him.

For whatever reason, it does look grim for the Ganassi boys though...

[Kicking-back]

Manning outshining Dixon of late

[tanalised]

Dixon doesn't look too interested in mixing it with the other racers this year.
Maybe his star has waned?

[marcus]

I think his confidence may have just because he isnt competitive enough as he wants to be.

I dont doubt his ability at all , just his motivation this year seems to be a little off.

Hopefully Toyota can find more power and I think you will see Scott returning to his former self.

[Tim Northcutt]

His teammate, Manning, sure didn't seem to have a problem over the weekend....but Dixon did....

Let's see how it shakes out at Milwaukee...

[BootsOntheSide]

Scott does seem to be playing the percentaages more than most, but he might feel he's got less to prove than Sam, Darren and Alex among others. He is bringing home results better than any of those anyway.