The second annual IndyCar Big Machine Music City Grand Prix was more of the same Sunday, once again full of wrecks, accidents and warning signs.
Chaos ruled the day even as organizers tried to improve the unique 2.17-mile track in hopes of a cleaner race.
Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon handles best drama after nearly two-hour weather delay and won 80 laps of the race On the streets of downtown Nashville.
Dixon led the final 15 laps. He was second in the points standings behind Will Power.
The win also put Dixon in second place in the IndyCar race with 53 wins. He passed Mario Andretti with 52 wins and trailed AJ Foyt with 67 wins.
Pole winner Scott McLaughlin pushed Dixon to the finish line before finishing second. That’s the fourth-closest victory gap in IndyCar Road Rough Series history, at 0.1067 seconds.
Alex Palou was third, Alexander Rossi was fourth and Colton Herta was fifth.
Hometown favorite Joseph Newgarden finished sixth. He had a 12-lap lead before pitting for a tire change on lap 65.
Newgarden overtook three cars in the late restart but also pushed Romain Grosjean against the wall, leading to the final warning sign.
The 2021 race has six wrecks, nine warning signs, 33 laps of caution and two red flags. Sunday’s race had 8 wrecks, 8 warning signs, 36 laps of caution, and a red flag with 4 laps left.
Ten cars were eliminated, including Pato Oward, who was fourth in the IndyCar points standings.
2021 Music City Grand Prix winner Marcus Ericsson was one of the victims. He quit the race in 11th with five laps left.
Along with Newgarden and Dixon, lap leaders include Alex Palou (31) and McLaughlin (22).
Contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or @MikeOrganWrtier on Twitter.
