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INDY LIGHTS: Scott Dixon extends lead, Tony Renna in fourth

14 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

(Lexington, Oh)--PacWest Lights driver Scott Dixon finished second to extend his series lead and Tony Renna had his fourth consecutive top-four finish in the seventh round of the Dayton Indy Lights Championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio today.

Dixon, driver of the #17 Invensys/Powerware PacWest Lights entry, made a great start and had moved from eighth to fifth by the start of the second lap. The young New Zealander moved to fourth four laps later after narrowly missing a spinning Jeff Simmons.

On lap 12, second and third placed runners Jonny Kane and Felipe Giaffone came together to bring out a full course yellow and Dixon moved to second.

Dixons teammate Tony Renna recorded his fourth consecutive top-four finish with a consistent drive in the #18 Motorola PacWest Lights car. Unlike Dixon, Renna got an ordinary start, but showed terrific patience to make use of the yellow flag conditions and pick his way through the field. He actually grabbed third place from Australian Jason Bright for half a lap on lap 27.

SCOTT DIXON #17 INVENSYS/POWERWARE PACWEST LIGHTS 2nd

"We completely changed the car for the fourth time this weekend after the warm-up and I have to thank the Invensys/Powerware crew for giving me the tools to do the job," said Dixon.

"The car was the easiest I have had to drive this year and that allowed us to get a good start and go on with the job.

"We had several re-starts, but my top gear just wasnt tall enough to catch (Townsend) Bell who was running a different wing configuration to us.

"To finish second after having such an ordinary lead-up is testimony to the commitment of this team. It just goes to show that if you keep chasing the set-up and are willing to take calculated risks eventually it will come around."

TONY RENNA # 18 MOTOROLA PACWEST LIGHTS 4th

"I did not get a great start, but fortunately a lot of people fell off in front of me," said Renna.

"There were a lot of yellows and I managed to pick up Casey (Mears) on one of the them and then Jason (Bright) on another to pick up third. Unfortunately Jason got a good run on me down the back straight and made it stick in turn four to put me back to fourth.

"We made a few changes after the warm-up to make the car softer, but not as many changes as Scott (Dixon). I am pleased because that is our fourth consecutive top-four finish and I really think we can go on from here."

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: Scott Dixon 93, Townsend Bell 80, Jason Bright 72, Casey Mears 69, Felipe Gaiffone 65, Tony Renna 56.

Text provided by Brett Murray

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