By Dick Mittman
indy500.com
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ron Dixon and Floyd Ganassi were proud papas in Victory Circle on Sunday, May 25 as the racing world saluted their sons for a dominating victory in the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Competing in his sixth Indy 500, Dixon led 115 laps en route to a 1.7498 edge over Panther Racing's Vitor Meira at the checkered flag. He averaged 143.567 mph in a race slowed by 69 laps of yellow. He previously had placed 17th, eighth, 24th, sixth and second at Indy.
For Chip Ganassi, it was his second victory in the past eight years - Juan Pablo Montoya brought the first in 2000 - since turning from driver (1982 through 1986) to car owner. Target was the team sponsor in both victories. He also was an ownership partner with Pat Patrick of the car that Emerson Fittipaldi drove to victory in 1989.
The fathers, who were beaming like each had a new grandchild, praised their sons achievements, but at the same took little credit for getting them to the top of Mount Everest in the auto racing world.
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Both Ron Dixon and his wife, Glenys, did some short-track racing in Australia and New Zealand but didn't place any pressure on their son to follow their example.
"Nah, nah, he pushed me into racing," the father said.
"He followed us around. And when we got him into go-karts, it went from there. No, we didn't push him. He pushed us. He wanted to stay in, not us."
Floyd Ganassi knew virtually nothing about racing. It was his son, he said, who wanted to race.
"I was involved because of him," he said. "I'm a sand and gravel (his business) guy. No, I didn't know the difference at the time of a Formula Ford and a 2-by-4."
Does he know more about the sport now?
"I certainly do, thanks to Chip," he said. "He's done a wonderful job, makes me very proud of him for the accomplishments he's had."
Floyd Ganassi raves about his son's driver.
"Scott's the greatest driver in the world," he said, "a wonderful family man and a fine person. Dan (Wheldon, 2005 Indy champion and Dixon's teammate), it was unfortunate what happened to him today (started second, fell back to 12th after leading 30 laps).Without a doubt, we have the two best drivers in open-wheel racing. When I say open-wheel racing, I'm counting Formula One."
Ron Dixon was still soaking up the grand feeling that his son's likeness soon will be displayed on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," he said as New Zealanders in the stands stretched out "Silver Fern" flags to salute their countryman. The elder Dixon noted that the "Silver Fern" is the other insignia of New Zealand.
"It (victory) is the ultimate," he said. "It's what you pray for, it's what you want your son to do, and finally he's done it. That's great."
Dixon had been overpowering during the month, capturing the PEAK Motor Oil Pole with a speed of 226.366 mph. During the remaining practice, there wasn't a hint that he might slip. And his father said that race morning was special, one he hadn't witnessed before from his cool, low-key son. The Dixons travel to all of their son's races.
"He just had a real good attitude toward (the race)," Ron Dixon said. "And everything came together.
"The team gave him one of the best cars he's ever had, and he felt good. This morning he was the most relaxed I'd ever seen him before a race, laughing and joking with everybody. It was just all good times."
Young Dixon later mentioned in his media conference that his recent bride, Emma, had fixed him pancakes before he headed out to duel 32 other standout drivers for a winner's purse of nearly $3 million.
Dixon proposed to Emma while the couple was exiting the baggage claim area at a New Zealand airport, kneeling down with ring in hand. She is a former middle-distance runner from Wales.
Dixon wasn't the only Kiwi involved with his winning car. Blair Julian, who is a rear end mechanic for Scott's swift machine, also hails from New Zealand, but they first met at the Sebring track in Florida. They've been together 10 years.
"I think it is a big honor to be working with Scott," Julian said. "It's been along road getting to this point, a lot of ups and downs for us. "It's nice to be able to relax and see him (get) the checkered flag and get one in the books."
Julian said he saw the potential in Dixon early.
"I think when he got to the States and started running on the ovals and dominated on the street course and road course, yeah, the future was pretty bright for him," he said. "He's pretty strong in the mind. He seems to be able to overcome the problems a lot of other guys seemed to struggle with."
And what about the people back in New Zealand on this day?
"The country's probably stopped right now," Julian said before dashing off to join the rest of the team in kissing the track's famed Yard of Bricks.
Floyd Ganassi already has his eye on the 2009 race.
"We're looking forward to coming back and doing it again," he said. "We need a repeat and some consecutive runs here."
Maybe father does know best.
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