Detroit, MI—–Scott Dixon orchestrated a daring move that ultimately crowned him the victor of the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, securing his fourth triumph at the event. Racing under the banner of Chip Ganassi Racing, Dixon made a strategic decision to defy convention during Lap 65, opting to stay on the track in his No. 9 Honda while the majority of his competitors opted for a pit stop under a caution flag. This bold move propelled the New Zealand racer into the lead position, which he steadfastly maintained over the final 35 laps, clinching his fourth win in the Motor City and his second victory of the 2024 IndyCar season.
This triumph marks Dixon’s inaugural win on the newly established downtown street course, following his three previous victories on Belle Isle between 2012 and 2019. Navigating through a barrage of crashes and yellow caution flags, stemming from the intricate challenges posed by Detroit’s urban circuit, Dixon showcased remarkable skill and composure.
Despite facing a late challenge from second-place finisher Marcus Ericsson in the No. 28 Honda and third-place finisher Marcus Armstrong in the No. 11 Honda, Dixon emerged victorious, solidifying his status as a masterful tactician behind the wheel. Reflecting on his achievement, Dixon remarked, “Any win is special, but it is cool to get two wins in different places.”
In a closely contested race, Ericsson trailed Dixon by a mere 0.86 seconds, with Armstrong finishing 4.91 seconds adrift of the winning time. Kyle Kirkwood in the No. 27 Honda secured fourth place, while Alexander Rossi, piloting the lone Chevrolet entry in the top five, finished fifth, trailing Dixon by 8.95 seconds.
Ericsson, acknowledging Honda’s dominance on the podium beneath GM’s headquarters, commented, “It felt good to spoil the party, for sure. I think Honda did a great job this weekend.”
The 100-lap race, spanning a 1.645-mile track encircling the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit, commenced under a green flag at 12:42 p.m. and concluded at 2:47 p.m. Racers grappled with the nuances of the new downtown track, navigating through bumpy roads, tight turns, narrow walls, and a brief spell of rain, which resulted in a significant portion of the race occurring under yellow caution flags.
With eight caution periods and over an hour spent racing under caution, tire selection, evading collisions, and managing fuel consumption emerged as pivotal factors influencing the leaderboard standings. “You are on confined streets; it is really tough if you make any kind of mistake,” Dixon remarked.
Dixon’s strategic acumen came to the fore as he built a commanding 3-second lead after opting against refueling during a crucial phase of the race. His deft maneuvering, coupled with a pivotal pass of pole winner Colton Herta, enabled him to maintain his lead down the stretch, despite the intense competition. Although the latter stages of the race witnessed thrilling racing action, the pervasive chaos, exacerbated by inclement weather and Detroit’s narrow course, underscored the demanding nature of the competition.
Acknowledging the role of fortune in his victory, Dixon stated, “I think some of today was a little bit of luck. Today, it kind of played our way a little bit, but it was still very tight. There were many people on our strategy and they couldn’t make it.”
The race’s outset was marred by an early collision involving 2022 Detroit Grand Prix winner Will Power and Theo Pourchaire, resulting in a multi-car pileup and the deployment of the first caution flag. Subsequent laps witnessed a flurry of incidents, with drivers jostling for position amidst challenging track conditions.
Despite the tumultuous nature of the race, Dixon’s calculated risk-taking and impeccable execution ultimately propelled him to victory, etching his name in the annals of Detroit Grand Prix history once more.
