Scott Dixon has taken victory in the Indy Japan, while second placed Will Power took the championship lead with two rounds remaining.
Power’s second place also secured him his second-consecutive Mario Andretti Road Trophy.
While Power leaves Japan with the title lead and the Andretti Trophy, his championship rival Dario Franchitti was not so fortunate. Franchitti carried a five-point leader over Power into the 63-lap race, but he could only manage ninth after he made contact with the right-rear of the Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe entering Turn 1.
Franchitti’s ambitious move delayed Briscoe and Graham Rahal.
Power’s 11th top-five finish of the season bumped his point total to 542, which is 13 points ahead of Franchitti. Dixon is 60 points behind Power heading into the final two races – both on 1.5-mile ovals.
Dixon’s win keeps him in the title hunt. It was Dixon’s 27th Indy car victory, breaking a tie with Rodger Ward and tying Johnny Rutherford for 11th on the all-time list.
Marco Andretti finished third ahead of Alex Tagliani and Oriol Servia.
