Scott Dixon

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Lore & Background

Scott Dixon began karting at age seven and won thirty major karting titles in his age group across Australia and New Zealand. At thirteen, he progressed to car racing, winning the 1994 New Zealand Formula Vee Championship, the 1996 New Zealand Formula Ford Class II Championship, and the 1998 Australian Drivers' Championship. He debuted in CART in 2001 with PacWest Racing and won his first major open-wheel race in his third series start at Nazareth Speedway, becoming the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race at twenty years, nine months, and fourteen days. He joined CGR in 2002 when PacWest folded due to financial difficulties. Dixon won his first IndyCar title in his debut season (2003) with three victories. Following a winless 2004, he won one race in 2005, finished fourth in 2006 with two victories, and finished second to Dario Franchitti in 2007 with four wins. Dixon won his second IndyCar championship in 2008 with five victories (including the Indianapolis 500). He finished second to teammate Franchitti in 2009, breaking Sam Hornish Jr.'s all-time series wins record, and was third each season from 2010 to 2012. In 2015, he won his fourth IndyCar championship, tying Juan Pablo Montoya on points but declared champion due to a count-back on victories. During 2016 and 2017, his form lowered but he took three wins to finish sixth and third overall, respectively. His three victories in 2018 earned him his fifth series championship, and he won his sixth title two years later with four victories. After finishing fourth overall with one victory in 2021, he had two wins for third in 2022, finished runner-up in 2023 with three victories, dropped to sixth overall with two wins in 2024, and was third overall in 2025 with a solitary win. Overall, Dixon has won 59 races in American open-wheel car racing and finished on the podium 144 times.

In Their Own Story

The roar of engines at Nazareth Speedway fades to a low hum as Dixon guides his No. 18 Reynard 01I–Toyota car through the corners. His hands are steady, his eyes fixed on the track. With 116 laps without stopping for fuel, he calculates his strategy. He doesn't panic; he doesn't push. He waits. The checkered flag falls, and he wins the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix on his third career start—a quiet triumph for the Iceman, becoming the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race at twenty years, nine months, and fourteen days.

Reader's Guide

Scott Dixon defined the modern era of IndyCar racing from the 2000s onward. His driving style is characterized by surgical precision, fuel-saving mastery, and an uncanny ability to win championships through consistency rather than flash. His greatest achievements include six IndyCar Series championships (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020) and a victory in the 2008 Indianapolis 500. He has also won the 24 Hours of Daytona three times (2006, 2015 with CGR; 2020 with Wayne Taylor Racing) and the Petit Le Mans twice. His legacy is that of a benchmark—a driver who set the standard for excellence, professionalism, and adaptability across multiple car generations. Off-track, he is known for his humility and dedication to his family; he married former British and Welsh 800 metres champion and television presenter Emma Davies in February 2008, and they have three children. He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit a decade later, and promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in 2025. He is an inductee of both the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Dixon won the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix at Nazareth Speedway on his third career start, driving 116 laps without stopping for fuel, becoming the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race at twenty years, nine months, and fourteen days.
• He won the 1994 New Zealand Formula Vee Championship at his first attempt to become its youngest champion.
• Dixon rolled a Nissan Sentra saloon car onto its roof during a race at Pukekohe Park Raceway, capturing national attention when footage showed him struggling from the upturned car with a cushion strapped to his back to reach the pedals.
• He was named New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year in both 2008 and 2013.
• Dixon was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in 2025.