Dixon battled for the championship in 2006 and ’07, losing to Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti, respectively.
In 2008, Dixon enjoyed his best season to date, winning six races, including the Indianapolis 500, en route to a second IndyCar championship.
Dixon was champion again in 2013. In 2015, Juan Pablo Montoya led the points throughout the season, but Dixon swept in during the season finale at California’s Sonoma Raceway and stole what was his fourth series title.
Dixon claimed his fifth career title in 2018 and was being compared to the legends of the sport.
Foyt’s status in the sport is unquestioned, as is Andretti’s. But it is undeniable that Dixon’s impact on the modern era of racing puts him in a similar category as those two.
“When you talk about records, A.J., Mario, all these guys, obviously Scott’s name is in that group now, with A.J. just in front of him in championships,” Ganassi said. “That’s something that someday we’ll look back on and talk about it and compare: Was this guy better than that guy?
“That’s the great thing about sports: Someone in today’s era, are they as good of another driver back in another era? In any sport we question that. We’ll never know the answer. That’s what is great about sports, is that comparison.”
In a year where the world was turned upside-down and inside out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, IndyCar was forced to shut down the season before it even began. When the series finally started, Dixon won the first three races.
“All of them are very unique, but I think this year is special in a lot of ways,” Dixon said. “A lot of people have gone through adversity, the series, many people have gone through it so it’s something you won’t forget.
“As you go through championships and races, to win the first three and first four as a team, there are a lot of milestones. This year’s Indy 500 was a bummer after dominating the race then finishing second (to Takuma Sato), but I’ll remember this season because of Indy as well.”
Dixon has developed into the most respected driver in IndyCar and a man of character. He credits his wife, Emma, for helping him become the man he is today — a true leader.
Dixon remains humbled by being compared to the greats of his sport.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t see myself that way at all. Again, I feel lucky. I’m very, very blessed in many ways — in my racing career, to have met the love of my life with Emma. Have a great family. Two beautiful girls and a young son, Kit.
“I feel lucky I get to do what I love to do. I enjoy racing. I get to work with the best in the business. I just don’t see it that way. I hope that I continue for years to come and enjoy the sport for what it is.
“I respect greatly A.J., Mario, Michael (Andretti), the Unsers, everybody in the sport, what they’ve achieved.
“I just feel lucky to be here.”
It’s difficult to believe that Dixon has been driving Indy cars for 20 years.
“It’s definitely been an interesting journey with many ups and downs as each race weekend can be or each season can be,” Dixon said. “I’m very proud of the group that I’ve been able to work with.
“Next year will be my 20th year with the team. We’ve achieved a lot together. They achieved amazing stats with their whole group of drivers they have had throughout the years. For me, I think I was definitely lucky in some situations where I caught contracts at the right time, was able to hang on to the situation, especially in the early to mid-2000s.
“It’s the love of the sport. I feel very lucky and privileged to do what I do,” Dixon continued. “I really enjoy the people that I work with. They as a whole really drive me, their will to win. I think the whole kind of mindset when you walk into the Ganassi race shop throughout the years has never changed. At no point do you not go to a race weekend without thinking about winning. That definitely helps a lot.”
Dixon shows no signs of slowing down or climbing out of the cockpit any time soon.
“It’s been a great ride so far,” Dixon said. “I definitely want to keep winning, I want to keep racing.”