INDIANAPOLIS -- While his team struggled with setup and speed, Scott Dixon has flown under the radar during preparations for the Indianapolis 500. Its exactly how he wants it. Its how he has tried to be his entire career. "I like to live simply," Dixon said. As such, one of the most decorated drivers of the last decade goes grossly underappreciated for his accomplishments. Hes the Jimmie Johnson of IndyCar, the driver tearing through the record books with his eye on the top names in series history. Dixons 33 career victories rank seventh all-time, and three more wins would leapfrog him past Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser into fourth place. The only drivers who rank higher than Dixon in victories right now have the last name Andretti, Foyt and Unser. Since joining Chip Ganassi Racing in 2002 while the team still raced in the now-defunct CHAMP Car Series, Dixon has won at least one race in every season except two. He has an Indianapolis 500 win on his resume, and his three IndyCar championships -- spread out in 2003, 2008 and 2013 -- show a consistency and longevity thats hard to match. At just 33 years old, he conceivably has almost another decade of racing ahead of him. But hes worked in the shadow of some huge personalities and some of open-wheel racings biggest stars. When Dario Franchitti joined the Ganassi organization in 2009, Dixon watched his famous teammate reel off three consecutive championships and two Indy 500 wins. In that same span, Dixon finished second in the championship once, third three times, and finished second to Franchitti in the 2012 Indy 500. Living in Franchittis shadow never bothered him. "I preferred that, actually," said Dixon, who will start Sundays Indy 500 in 11th, in the fourth row. "When I come out of the truck and everyone is standing around waiting, they all chased after Dario and I could just get on the scooter and ride off and get to work. Ive never had any problem not having the spotlight on me." Franchitti is on the sidelines now, forced into retirement last November from injuries suffered in a crash at Houston a month earlier. The imposing 1-2 attack of the two red Target cars has been broken up. It means Dixon finally has the team to himself, but he doesnt view it that way -- he maintains its always been owner Chip Ganassis team -- and the laid-back New Zealander isnt seeking any fame. Its a shame, because hes earned the attention. "Hes achieved so much, hes one of the most successful of all time, but a lot of people dont know that," said reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, a fan favourite and Franchittis replacement this year in the Ganassi organization. "He just does his job. Is he more famous than me? Not really. But were not talking about that. Its not what his goal is. Hes doing exactly what he wants to do." Dixon excels at striving for more and putting in the work toward continuing to improve his race craft. "He doesnt stop learning. He doesnt allow what hes just done to be the high point in his life, in his career. He only uses that as a springboard for the next day," said Mike Hull, Ganassis managing director and the strategist atop Dixons pit stand. "We just do not stop learning together, and he represents us. I wish we could clone him, to be honest about it, moving forward because hes the kind of person you need driving your race cars." In his 13th season with Ganassi, Dixon is easily the longest tenured driver in organization history. The team owner says the longevity is because Dixon "doesnt seem to carry much baggage with him." For an owner who dislikes drama or having to massage egos and manage personalities, Dixon is his easy child. As for where Dixon ranks among the all-time greats, Ganassi doesnt want to be part of the conversation. "Were obviously very proud to have Scott," Ganassi said. "When you talk about legacies ... that will be something someday for you in the media to talk about. I dont think its our position in the race team to talk about that. We certainly think his name deserves to be up there as well."
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Ersan Ilyasova Jersey . Prado stuck his glove down with Colorados Charlie Blackmon sliding into the bag, and quickly jumped back in pain after applying the tag. Prado held his left wrist as trainers came out of the Diamondbacks dugout to check him.DENVER - This rookie just may be called up from the American Hockey League after catching everyones attention in an impressive debut.Sorry, though, its not the next Sidney Crosby, but a new overtime rule that should allow players like Crosby to showcase their skills even more with the game on the line.The minor-league organization has long been the place to experiment with new directives, just to see how well they work — or dont work — before the NHL takes a look. Some (oversized blue lines) werent popular. Others (not being able to change players after an icing call) have been promoted.The new OT rule possibly could be coming soon to an NHL rink near you.Its certainly entertaining for fans and a lot of fun to watch, said David Andrews, the president and CEO of the AHL for the last 21 years.Currently, the NHL uses a 4-on-4 OT model for five minutes. If no one scores, then it goes to a shootout.But heres how the extra period works on the AHL level: Its seven minutes long — or until someone scores, of course — with the opening three minutes 4-on-4. Then, after the next whistle, it switches to 3-on-3 for the last four, leading to lots of room for creativity and scoring chances. If that doesnt decide things, it goes to a shootout, a concept that drives many a coach bonkers since its almost like a skills competition.Thats the thing, though. This new overtime system has cut down significantly on shootouts.Last year, the AHL had 65 per cent of its OT games decided in a shootout, Andrews said. This season, its shrunk to 25 per cent.Even more, of the 99 overtime games so far, 35 of them have been decided in 3-on-3 action.Initially hesitant over the newfangled OT ordinance, Roy Sommer, the coach of the AHL Worcester Sharks, has warmed up to the idea. He thinks it would be a big hit with fans and players on the next level.If you put your three best NHL players against each other with all that ice and creativity, man, it would be something to watch, said Sommer, one of the all-time winningest AHL coaches. I know I wouldnt leave.As for when — or even if — this version of overtime arrives at the NHL level, thats hard to predict. In a statement, the NHLs hhockey operations branch said the league follows the American Hockey League and other leagues closely.dddddddddddd ... Were always interested in ways to make an already great game better.Colorado and Toronto had a 3-on-3 situation in overtime earlier this season after both teams drew penalties. It was riveting as players raced from end-to-end, unable to risk heading to the bench for fear of an odd-man rush going the other way.If we did this, theres no way games would go to a shootout, Colorado forward Matt Duchene said. As much as shootouts are fun to watch, Im not a big fan of them, because it stinks to finish a game on a non-hockey play.But Id love to see overtime 4-on-4 and then 3-on-3, because it would be amazing.Chris Wideman can attest to that. The defenceman for the Binghamton Senators has scored two of his 12 goals in overtime this season — one in 3-on-3 and the other on a 4-on-3 power play.Lots of odd-man rushes, breakaways, explained Wideman, whos in his third season with the minor-league affiliate of Ottawa. From the pure entertainment side, you cant beat it. As far as for the players, its a lot of fun for us. It gives you a chance to show off a little skill.One possible downside? More ice time for players, which could take its toll over an already grueling regular season.NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk wouldnt mind seeing something similar to college footballs overtime rules. His suggestion is this: One team receives a 4-on-3 power play for two minutes and if it scores, then the opponent gets its chance. The one that stops the other wins.If were trying to get away from the shootout, there are ways of trying to do that, said Olczyk, a former NHL player and coach.Hey, maybe another test idea for the AHL. But the minor-league outfit isnt just a petri dish for the NHL. A lot of times, its the AHL that institutes a rule that causes the NHL to take notice and later implement, like the delay penalty for flipping a puck over the glass in the defensive end. Or the trapezoid area behind the goal.Or, maybe soon, this new OT rule.The fans love the shootout, Avs defenceman Erik Johnson said. But theyd LOVE 3-on-3 in overtime. ' ' '
Radar During Preparations For The Indianapolis 500. Its
Aug 24 2019, 04:54 AM
