419 - Scott Dixon - The Unconventional Road to Indy

The Bojangles Studio is graced by IndyCar royalty this week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his co-host Mike Davis sit down with Scott Dixon. Since emerging on the American open-wheel racing scene in 1999, Dixon has written his name into the history books (between Foyt and Andretti, mind you) by winning six IndyCar championships, 52 races, and the 2008 Indianapolis 500. The interview covers Scott’s early life and introduction to auto racing, which came thanks to his father’s own racing endeavors and the family promoting a dirt track in Townsville, Australia. Dixon seemed destined for success as he won his way through the kart and lower Formula ranks in Australia and New Zealand, but with every progression came exponential budget growth. As his parents had already mortgaged their home to support his racing endeavors, his father and some local businessmen started an investment corporation that would sell shares of Scott’s potential career earnings to help keep him on track. The result was Dixon moving stateside in the late 90s, wowing Stefan Johansson in a test at Sebring and taking a seat in the Indy Lights Series, where he would win the championship in resounding fashion in 2000, beginning his dominance in American open-wheel racing. The interview also discusses Scott’s tenure at Chip Ganassi Racing, his family life, and the comparability of stock cars and championship cars.