Turning two at Houston could be key to Dixon’s title hopes

Scott Dixon knows a strong weekend at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Speedway at Reliant Park will help his chances in chasing down points leader Helio Castroneves.

The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston doubleheader on the 1.683-mile, 10-turn temporary street circuit features full points in both 90-lap races, which provides another opportunity for Dixon to make up ground. It's also a chance to claim another $50,000 for earning another SONAX Perfect Finish Award with a Houston sweep.

Dixon, who trails Helio Castroneves by 49 points heading into the Oct. 5-6 races, has been the top performer of all drivers who have competed in the two doubleheader events this season with top-five finishes in each race.

He won a $100,000 bonus by winning the SONAX Perfect Finish Award at Toronto – part of a three-race win streak in July that saw him vault from seventh in the championship to second. Dixon has a pole and a pair of fourth-place finishes at the Raceway of Belle Isle to give him an average finish of 2.5 in the four previous doubleheader races.

"The last couple of races probably haven't gone as smooth as we would have liked. In short, we need to close the points gap (and) make sure we're in the championship fight for the last race at Auto Club Speedway," said Dixon, who has finished first, second or third in the standings each of the past six seasons. "We'll dig deep and try to make sure we have a good shot at it."

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES TOP 10 IN DOUBLEHEADERS