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Sunday, Aug 5, 2012 7:15 PM UTC

Dixon maintains mastery at Mid-Ohio IndyCar

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Topics: From the Wires

LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) — Scott Dixon took the lead by passing Will Power in pit row on the 57th lap and then held on Sunday to capture his fourth IndyCar title in the last six years at Mid-Ohio.

Dixon, who previously won titles on the winding road course in 2007, ’09 and ’11, qualified fourth and patiently picked off cars until he sped past Power when both pitted just past the midpoint of the 85-lap race.

Power, who ended up second, took over the points lead from Ryan Hunter-Reay, who finished 24th. Only 28 points separate the top four in the rankings, with Power just two points ahead of Hunter-Reay, who was followed by Helio Castroneves. Dixon moved into fourth place.

Power, who has won three times this year, led the first 57 laps before giving way to Dixon.

There were no caution flags for the second IndyCar race in a row, the first time that’s happened since 1987.

The victory was the second of the year for Dixon, who also won at Belle Isle. It was his 29th career IndyCar win, tying him with Rick Mears for 10th place.

Rookie Simon Pagenaud hung on for third place — his third podium finish of the season.

Sebastien Bourdais’ fourth-place finish was his best of the season, with James Hinchcliffe fifth. He had placed 20th in his only previous appearance at Mid-Ohio a year ago.

There was very little movement among the top three cars throughout the 200-mile race. Power led Dixon by .5339 coming out of their first pit stop on the 29th lap. The top five cars were separated by just 2 seconds at that point.

After taking the lead, Dixon gradually stretched out the margin between him and Power. He ended up winning by 3.4619 seconds.

The race was contested under cloudy skies and in cool temperatures.

More Rusty Miller.

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