Dixon Takes a Break from Testing at Auto Club Speedway

IZOD IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon talking with a young INDYCAR fan after autographing his hat during the Hard Card event with Auto Club Speedway season ticket holders.

Two-time IZOD IndyCar Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon summed up his expectations on the series returning to Auto Club Speedway in 2012 with an enthusiastic: “Under the lights in California, it couldn’t be any better."

After a seven year absence, INDYCAR is once again set to bring excitement to Auto Club Speedway in 2012 and on Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fontana, the official hotel partner of Auto Club Speedway, Hard Card season ticket holders were treated to the first of many Hard Card events. Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, took time out from his testing schedule to meet with fans, sign autographs, pose for photos and give them the inside “scoop" on what to expect when INDYCAR returns in September under the lights at Auto Club Speedway.

“It’s nice to be back in Fontana. 2005 was the last time I was here and it’s good to be back," said Dixon as a roomful of excited fans looked on. “It’s the first time I’ve been actually in the new car on an oval. It’s done, I think, one previous test with the manufacturers at the (Auto Club) Speedway and there’s a lot of work to do. I will say that the Honda engine is very good and that’s obviously a very big part of our season next year."

Dixon is looking forward to when the IZOD IndyCar Series returns to Auto Club Speedway on September 15, 2012 under the lights. “It’s going to be a great race with the new cars and new engine manufacturers. By that time, I suspect the competition to be even tougher and this track provides fantastic racing for the cars we’re bringing next year."

Tuesday’s event was just one of many enjoyed by Hard Card members for renewing their season tickets by the deadline. In October, hundreds of Hard Card members enjoyed a Q&A with NASCAR drivers Greg Biffle, Sam Hornish Jr., David Reutimann and Landon Cassill. Past Hard Card events have included breakfast with Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, exclusive Q&A’s with Mark Martin, NASCAR driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, Juan Pablo Montoya, NASCAR driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet, and Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver of the No. 4 Red Bull Toyota, along with a special event at Dave and Buster’s featuring Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota.