ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) -- Scott Dixon has 56 INDYCAR SERIES wins under his belt, and while he's run well in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in previous years, he's yet to take the checkered flag in this particular race.
"To try and get the win here, it's never easy," Dixon said. "We've been in situations where we've led the race. I think I've crashed leading the race. We've been in situations where we maybe just were slightly off strategy, so that's the hard part -- and especially the depth of the field now and the competition in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. It's hard to be 100 percent right, and once you are, that only gives you a chance of winning."
He's also got his sights set on the top goal of winning another INDYCAR Championship. His last one came in 2020, and if he wins this year, it'll be his seventh title, tying him with A.J. Foyt atop the INDYCAR record books.
"I've had a few droughts, I think along the way, and championships that you look back that could have maybe gone a different way as well," Dixon said. "But, you know, you just keep knocking on that door. We've been in a steady state. I think we were fourth, you know, a few years back, then third, second last year, so we're heading in the right direction, you know? We've got to get to that top spot, but it's never going to be easy."
This race always comes with excitement as a course and location the drivers enjoy, but also because it's the season opener.
"It's amazing always to come to St. Pete for the first round of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES," said INDYCAR driver Alexander Rossi. "It's a long offseason for us -- just about six months. We love coming to St. Pete. We love the energy the city brings. It's obviously always beautiful weather down here, and just looking forward to getting the season started."
"It's always a great place to kick things off just because the excitement's really good," said INDYCAR driver Sting Ray Rob. "It races very well, and it's beautiful weather."
NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will have their first practice Friday afternoon and then qualify for the NTT P1 Award on Saturday afternoon, leading up to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.