Dixon Wins and Moves Within 8 Points of Helio

HOUSTON (AP) – Scott Dixon has won the first race of the Houston Grand Prix on a disastrous day for Penske Racing and IndyCar championship leader Helio Castroneves.

Castroneves entered Saturday’s race with a 49-point lead over Dixon with three events left on the schedule. But a gearbox issue early in the race led to an 18th-place finish for Castroneves.

Then a slow pit stop by the Penske team for Will Power allowed Dixon to take the lead.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver cruised to his series-best fourth win of the season and cut his deficit to eight points in the standings.

Dixon swept the Toronto doubleheader in July to climb into the championship race. He’ll try for another sweep Sunday on the course through Reliant Park.