Power and Dixon keen for oval finale after test

Aussie and Kiwi stars Will Power and Scott Dixon are eyeing the Nashville finale to the 2024 IndyCar season after a tyre test.

The likes of Power, Dixon, Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta were all present at a tyre test at Nashville SuperSpeedway on Wednesday.

The oval located in Tennessee will also be the venue of the September 15 finale.

It was the second such test of the year with teams also cutting laps of the 1.3mile concrete oval in June.

After getting some laps on Wednesday, both Power and Dixon are already looking forward to the finale with the pair sitting second and third respectively in the IndyCar title chase.

“I have been looking forward to having a season that finished with an oval,” Power said.

“I feel like I have unfinished business there because I lost a couple of championships doing that.

“To fight for one would be really cool and can’t wait for it.

“I know it looks as though we have been very strong on ovals but when I look at the last few races I think it is anyone’s game.

“I don’t think anyone has a big advantage and it is very situational through pit strategy and track position.

“You cannot sit back and think it is going to be easy because it ain’t. It is always different from what you expect.”

Dixon has three wins at the Nashville oval and has always enjoyed flying around the oval.

“There are a lot of great memories here. The team has always been very fast so hopefully we can replicate that when we comeback,” he said.

“I think this is how the finale should be. Even though the Nashville street course was always fantastic because there were a lot of unknowns and strategy can be flipped. 

“That is always important, especially when there is a championship on the line because you don’t know until the last moment of the race.

“Hopefully we can have good side by side racing and an oval to finish the season is always exciting.”

Meanwhile, Juncos Hollinger Racing announced it has split with its Argentinian driver Agustin Canapino, with five races still remaining in the 2024 season.

Canapino sits 22nd in the championship with a best result of 12th at Detroit as his only top 10 came at the non-championship race at Thermal Club.

The 34-year-old was in his second IndyCar season after making his debut with Juncos Hollinger Racing last year.

“After a momentous rookie and second season in IndyCar, Juncos Hollinger Racing and Agustin Canapino have mutually decided to part ways,” a team statement read.

“We commend Agustin for taking the leap into open wheel racing with us over the last year and a half, not only learning a completely new style of racing from his impressive and storied career, but also moving to the US and learning the language to join our series.

“Both Agustin and the team have worked tirelessly to learn, grow, and succeed throughout his time at JHR, and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved together.

“We thank Agustin for his time at Juncos Hollinger Racing and will be cheering him on as he continues his journey. Gracias, Agustin!”

IndyCar returns on August 17 at Gateway.

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