Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC BANK Honda heads to the PPG375 at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend as the winnest driver, scoring five of Ganassi’s seven victories here.
Speaking to Paddock Eye on a Zoom call earlier this week, the Iceman said that the team has the experience of winning at Texas Motor Speedway, and following their strong start to the season in St Pete, he feels they can challenge for the win this weekend. Looking ahead to the race this weekend, Dixon said:
I love racing at Texas and I’m really looking forward to this race weekend. There have been a lot of configurations that we’ve had throughout the years. I think this year, the series has done a good job of bringing some updated aero pieces which will tighten the pack and allow for some side-by-side racing … I think it’s definitely going to show a lot of the development and off-season work that the team has done and this should be a fantastic weekend for us.”
When Dixon won here in 2021, he set a record by leading 206 of the 212-lap race. Alex Palou, in the No.10 American Legio Honda, hopes they can have a strong result here, having been in the top ten last season.
“We’ve been working hard. This has not been my best race, but we did finish top-10 last year. Hoping to get a little bit closer and have a better race in terms of overtakes with the downforce that we have. Super excited for this weekend and hope to see you at the track.”
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato in the No.11 Niterra Honda will make his 215th INDYCAR SERIES start this weekend and his first as a Chip Ganassi Racing driver. Speaking ahead of the race this weekend, Sato, who has signed to compete here in Texas and at the Indianapolis 500 in May, commented saying:
I’m thrilled about returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and for my very first outing with Chip Ganassi Racing. Texas Motor Speedway is an iconic ultra-high-speed track with such a high banking that provides us with unbelievably intense racing all the time. In terms of preparation, it’s very limited and certainly there is a lot to learn in a short time. It’s very challenging for me since there has not been any testing. In the limited time, I have gotten very comfortable and confident with my new environment. I know the crew well now and spent a good amount of time with our engineers as I experienced in St. Pete. I am also very excited about representing our primary sponsor NGK’s new brand group name launched “Niterra” this weekend with beautiful Niterra blue, black and white and can’t thank NGK enough for their support. Of course, Niterra will be alongside Deloitte, Panasonic, Honda and everyone with me. This is an extremely exciting time, and I can’t wait get back behind the wheel.”
Fresh from his fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES career victory last time out in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding, Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Honda is excited to be heading to Texas Motor Speedway.