Dixon gives thumbs-up to new Baltimore circuit

Scott Dixon picked up the pace on the Pratt Street main straight in the Honda Crosstour before making a sharp right onto Light Street near the Inner Harbor. The Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver quickly noticed the smooth ride of the 2-mile circuit for the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix.

"They've done a fantastic job paving," said Dixon, who dropped by on his way to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for this weekend's Honda Indy 200 to get the lay of the land for the Sept. 2-4 race weekend. "The streets are wide and forgiving, and there are at least three or four corners that should be good for passing.

"I love that it's downtown. The atmosphere will be fantastic."

Street paving is complete and construction of the course got underway last week. The organizing group also has signed several local and regional sponsors, including M&T Bank.

"People are beginning to see that it is real," Baltimore Grand Prix president and CEO Jay Davidson said. "The Grand Prix is coming."

Dixon also joined Baltimore Police commissioner Fred Bealefeld in announcing the Smooth Operator campaign, which will remind passenger car and truck drivers that they can't navigate city streets at the speeds of Dixon and the 25 other competitors who will enter the Baltimore Grand Prix.