Scott Dixon’s 2024 Long Beach Win: Speed and Savings Unite

Scott Dixon added another milestone to his legendary IndyCar career by winning the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 21. The event marked Dixon’s 57th career win, strengthening his spot as the second-winningest driver in series history.

Starting from the eighth position, Dixon used a combination of fast pit stops, tire management, and strategic fuel saving to climb through the field on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn street course in California.

During the early laps, Dixon and his Chip Ganassi Racing crew made a bold move by switching to a two-stop strategy as many rivals stuck with three. The choice paid dividends as caution flags and clean driving by Dixon extended tire life and allowed him to run longer before pitting.

In a field featuring pole sitter Felix Rosenqvist and championship leader Alex Palou, Dixon managed to pull off quick lap times while protecting his tires, especially during the crucial final stint.

Romain Grosjean and Josef Newgarden challenged Dixon late in the race, with both posting fast laps and closing the gap during green-flag conditions. Dixon, known for his composure, maintained a steady pace and managed his fuel perfectly in the closing laps.

The pressure peaked with just ten laps to go, but Dixon’s experience showed as he fended off Newgarden, who ultimately finished second, just 0.9794 seconds behind Dixon at the checkered flag. Grosjean secured third place, earning his first podium of the season.

Dixon’s winning time was 1 hour, 38 minutes, and 12 seconds, and he averaged 111.4 mph over 85 laps. He led for 34 of those laps, taking control during the pivotal stretch after his final pit stop.

The win propelled Dixon to second place in the 2024 IndyCar Series standings, just 12 points behind Alex Palou. The Long Beach race featured five lead changes among four drivers and three caution periods, adding a strategic challenge for race engineers and drivers alike.

With this victory, Dixon became only the second driver to win the Long Beach Grand Prix twice since 2001, having previously captured the trophy in 2015. The performance underscored his status as one of the most consistent and skilled drivers on street circuits, where tire and fuel management are key to success.

Dixon’s Chip Ganassi Racing team celebrated another strong showing, with Marcus Armstrong also finishing in the top ten. Fans in attendance witnessed a blend of strategy, pace, and precise driving throughout the afternoon, with the weather staying clear and warm, reaching a high of 77°F.

The results put added pressure on rivals as the championship heads to Barber Motorsports Park for the next race. Dixon’s approach at Long Beach—a mix of aggressiveness and tactical saving—has once again set the standard for how IndyCar races can be won by more than just outright speed.

The victory not only added points to his championship pursuit but also demonstrated that the perfect combination of strategy and skill continues to define Dixon’s remarkable IndyCar legacy.

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.