Dixon comes out on top of chaotic IndyCar finale

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Once again, Scott Dixon proved that there is no driver in the NTT IndyCar Series more adept at navigating his way through chaos and carnage than the always relentless Kiwi.

In Sunday's Grand Prix of Monterey championship finale at Laguna Seca, Dixon survived a grid penalty and an early drive-thru sanction to carve his way up the field on an alternate strategy, dodging on-track chaos and multiple caution periods to claim his third win of the season and his 56th career win in IndyCar.

It was, however, the first win at Laguna Seca for the 43-year-old Chip Ganassi Racing driver.

"A credit to this team," Dixon said. "They’ve been executing like that all year.

"We got caught up in some mayhem at the start. I definitely didn’t agree with the (penalty) call, but I haven’t seen all of it yet. But I had nowhere to go. But we won; that’s all that matters. We won."

Dixon who finished runner-up to CGR teammate Alex Palou in the NTT IndyCar Series' final standings crossed the checkered flag seven seconds ahead of Penske's Scott McLaughlin, with Palou completing the podium.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.