Dixon motors to victory in Kansas 

Source: PhotosportScott Dixon in action

Kiwi Scott Dixon relished a return to oval track racing by winning the Kansas Indy 300 on Monday.

It was a remarkable return to form for the defending IndyCar series champion, who placed 16th and 15th through the first two rounds of the championship.

Those races on street circuits California and Florida were marred by technical problems but Dixon felt right at home at the high-speed circular venue which was hit by strong winds.

It was his 17th career win and 11th on an oval track and an enormous boost ahead of the defence of his Indy 500 title at Indianapolis on May 25.

In has last 12 oval races, Dixon has recorded six wins and has never finished lower than fourth.

He drove an error-free race today to head off Brazilian pair Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan, who is the new series leader.

A key moment came in lap 155 of the 200-lap race when Dixon made a clean final pit stop during a confusing yellow flag period when the race had to be restarted.

Starting at fourth on the grid, he improved quickly to second before a slick inside move saw him pass pole sitter Graham Rahal in the ninth lap.