Indy Talk by Nile Nickel Nile Nickel

Interview conducted with Scott Dixon prior to the beginning of the 2020 IndyCar season. 

I love the sound of IndyCars and I’m ready to see the Indy Cars back on the streets in St. Petersburg for the NTT INDYCAR 2020 Season opener at the FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG.

An interesting fact, in the last 16 IndyCar seasons the winner at St. Petersburg has gone on to win the INDYCAR championship five times.

Getting ready to start the season I had the opportunity to talk with the 5-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and as well as the 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon. Scott has won 46 IndyCar races, which is more than any active IndyCar drive and 3rd on the all-time victory list behind the legends of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. While Scott has finished 2nd 4 times at St. Petersburg, victory has been elusive. Will this be Scott’s year?

Listen in as Scott and I discuss the upcoming 2020 IndyCar season-opening event.

Welcome Scott and thanks for taking the time to talk will me today.

Questions posed to Scott: 

While it’s only been 6 months since the 2019 IndyCar season wrapped up with you having a podium finish at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA a lot has changed. I like to get your thoughts on some of the changes.

- Racing safety is on everyone's mind after watching Ryan Newman's of NASCAR horrifying Daytona 500 wreck. But most agree recent safety advancements probably saving Ryan’s life. INDYCAR is always looking at safety as well. In that light INDYCAR formed a partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to design an Aeroscreen for enhanced driver cockpit protection. What has been your experience with the Areoscreen so far and what are your thoughts?

- IndyCar revamps field ordering for restarts IndyCar revamps field ordering for restarts. Can you tell us what that means?

- New Series owner Roger Penske . . . More teams, more drivers...? More fan-friendly?

- You have won almost everywhere, but in all of your prior starts, not in St. Petersburg. But you do have (I believe 4 - 2nd place finishes) What is your biggest challenge in the St Petersburg race?