Scott Dixon's move and Mid-Ohio dominance headline the weekend
It is difficult to process, but six-time champion Scott Dixon is leaving the No. 9 entry at Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of this season. The reports place him at Arrow McLaren for the future, likely joining Pato O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist. Watching how the 45-year-old handles this impending transition will be the major subplot of the weekend, especially since he is currently enduring a four-race streak without a top-10 finish—a slump we have not seen from him since 2005.
There is perhaps no better place for Dixon to reset than Mid-Ohio. Statistically, this 2.258-mile course is his playground, boasting seven career victories and nine podiums. He knows how to conjure magic here; who could forget him winning from the 22nd and final starting position in 2014? Even last year, he showed his clinical edge by capitalizing on a rare mistake from teammate Alex Palou to secure the win.
Speaking of Palou, he remains the man to beat. Despite a recent losing streak, he has secured the last two poles at this track and continues to command the standings. With Christian Lundgaard showing pace for Arrow McLaren and the added pressure of employment fluidity in the paddock, the racing at Mid-Ohio promises to be intense. Seven different drivers have won the last seven races here, and with a grid as competitive as this one, nobody should take anything for granted.
