New Zealand’s Scott Dixon is the new Indy Racing Leauge Champion despite a thrilling, last to first drive by arch rival Helio Castroneves. In a closing round straight out of Hollywood, the popular Castroneves overcame a start at the back of the grid to just edge out Dixon in a thrilling finish that saw the cars locked together, side by side for the final few laps.

Dixon, who only needed an eighth place to clinch the title, finished second by 0.0033 of a second in the second-closest finish in IndyCar Series history.

Scott Dixon celebrates with team owner Chip Ganassi: Picture Indycar Media.

Dixon won by 17 points. Castroneves’ teammate, Australian Ryan Briscoe, finished less than a second behind in third with Tony Kanaan fourth. Australia’s Will Power had one of his best ever oval track results finishing fifth, Dan Wheldon was sixth.

The next appearence of the Indycars will be the non-championship race on the streets of the Gold Coast in Queensland on October 26th.