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Indy Lights: Both PacWest cars on the podium at Chicago

31 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

(Chicago, IL)--PacWest Racing Group drivers shared places on the podium for the first time in the teams history when Scott Dixon and Tony Renna finished first and third respectively in the sixth round of the Dayton Indy Lights Championship at the Chicago Motor Speedway today.

Dixon, driver of the #17 Invensys/Powerware PacWest Lights machine, started third on the grid and worked his way to the front early to set up a dominating win and again put himself back on the top of the points table.

The New Zealander, who turned just 20 last weekend, had half a lap lead when the field was forced to close up under yellow flag conditions with 10 laps remaining.

Dixon got the jump at the re-start and was in the lead when the race was again forced under yellow because of an accident between third and fourth placed runners Casey Mears and Chris Menninga.

That accident allowed Dixon to cruise for the last three laps and also allowed Renna to move from fifth to third and collect his second trophy of the season.

Renna, driver of the #18 Motorola PacWest Lights entry, drove one of the best races of his career after starting the 97-lap event at the rear of the 17-car field because of a technical infringement in yesterdays qualifying when his car was ruled under weight.

He consistently picked his way through the field and was in the right position to take advantage of the accident, which brought out the last yellow.

The win was Dixons third for the season and the third place was Rennas second consecutive podium finish.

SCOTT DIXON #17 INVENSYS/POWERWARE PACWEST LIGHTS 1st

"I was pretty patient towards the beginning of the race," said Dixon.

"When Menninga went a little wide around lap 21, I was able to maintain my inside line to take the lead.

"My car was fantastic today. Once I got the lead, I was able to open up a nice gap between (Townsend) Bell and myself, and cruise the rest of the way.

"When the late yellow came out, there were about six cars between myself and the 2nd placed car, so my focus was on getting a jump on the re-start to stay out front.

"My crew did an excellent job all weekend preparing my car, and Im happy to be back on the podium again after a brief absence."

TONY RENNA # 18 MOTOROLA PACWEST LIGHTS 3rd

"I have to thank the Motorola crew for giving me a great car today," said Renna.

"It was always going to be a matter of being patient and just picking my way through the field. We did that and we were in the right place to take advantage of the Mears and Menninga accident.

"We have made some great ground the last few races and it is nice to see a little luck finally go our way.

"The PacWest operation has been great to myself and Scott and it is on honor that we could be the first drivers to share a podium under the PacWest banner.

The Dayton Indy Lights Championship will continue at Mid-Ohio in two weeks time.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1: Scott Dixon 77; 2: Felipe Giaffone 65; 3: Casey Mears 59; 4: Townsend Bell 59; 5: Jason Bright 57; 6: Tony Renna 44; 7: Mario Dominguez 43; 8: Jeff Simmons 42; 9: Chris Menninga 37; 10: Jonny Kane 32.

CHICAGO TOP 10: 1: Scott Dixon; 2: Townsend Bell; 3: Tony Renna; 4: Felipe Giaffone; 5: Rodolfo Lavin; 6: Luis Diaz; 7: Jeff Simmons; 8: Rudy Junco; 9: Chris Menninga; 10: Casey Mears.

Text Provided By Brett Murray

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