ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Josef Newgarden's best and probably only chance to keep his IndyCar crown was to win Sunday's season finale.
Anything short of a victory on the streets of downtown St. Petersburg left Newgarden with almost no path to deny Scott Dixon another championship.
Newgarden used a spectacular two-car pass for the lead to indeed win at St. Pete but it wasn't enough as Dixon stealthily finished third to collect yet another ring in his storied career. The 40-year-old New Zelander won his sixth title for Chip Ganassi Racing. He was a tactician and followed Newgarden all day; a finish of ninth or better gave him the title no matter where Newgarden finished.