Scott Dixon claims Honda Indy Toronto title to tie for 2nd most IndyCar wins in history | CBC Sports

Scott Dixon has won the Honda Indy Toronto for a fourth time.

Colton Herta was second fastest around the street track at Exhibition Place and Felix Rosenqvist was third.

Dixon is now tied with the legendary Mario Andretti for the second most wins in IndyCar history at 52. A.J. Foyt is the all-time leader with 67.

IndyCar rookie Devlin DeFrancesco of Toronto was 18th.

Dalton Kellett of nearby Stouffville, Ont., completed nine laps before mechanical failure ended his race.

WATCH | Dixon climbs ranks in history with Honda Indy Toronto win:

Scott Dixon ties Mario Andretti for 2nd all-time in IndyCar wins

Scott Dixon takes the checked flag at the Honda Indy Toronto for career win 52 and ensuring at least 1 win in 18 consecutive seasons.

Both Canadians drove in the Honda Indy for the first time as the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kellett’s car started smoking early in the race, forcing him to pit. After the A.J. Foyt Enterprises crew worked at Kellett’s car it was announced the local was out of the race.

Alexander Rossi was pushed into a barricade by Rosenqvist in the 45th lap, wrecking his car. Although it led to a yellow flag — with most drivers taking the opportunity to pit — Rosenqvist was not penalized for the contact.

Dixon was leading at the time of Rossi’s accident and he led the way into the pit. Rinus VeeKay didn’t go into the pit and held the lead until he went into the pit to switch out his tires.

Although Herta earned pole position in Saturday’s qualifying, Dixon was in control for most of the race. Late in the race Herta’s strategist could be heard on the broadcast telling him to try and make a move on Dixon if the opportunity presented itself, but otherwise focus on conserving fuel.

That opening never materialized for Herta, as Dixon held on to the lead for more than 20 of the race’s final laps

Dixon has now won in 18 straight seasons, but was without a victory in 23 races until Sunday’s race in Toronto.