“He’s a huge icon of our sport”: Scott Dixon makes feelings clear about being mentioned alongside IndyCar legend Mario Andretti

For the 2025 IndyCar season, Scott Dixon is a man on a mission. At 44, the Chip Ganassi Racing star is hunting his seventh IndyCar title. His exploits on the racetrack have often landed comparisons with IndyCar legend Mario Andretti.

Dixon has won six IndyCar championships and is already two clear of Andretti. He is also the only driver alongside Andretti to have 400 or more IndyCar Series starts.

On 1st September this year, Dixon took his 142nd career pole at the Milwaukee Mile, surpassing Andretti's pole record. Naturally, the comparisons followed and he was grateful to be mentioned in the same breath as one of the legends he looked up to.

"It’s always fun to be mentioned alongside Mario. Such a fun person. He’s a huge icon of our sport," the 44-year-old said via IndyCar.

Scott Dixon is a generational talent. Though he hasn't been near a championship trophy since his last title win in 2020, he continues to etch his name in the sport's history books.

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Scott Dixon and Mario Andretti's mutual show of respect after the 6x champ's record win in 2022

AUTO: JUL 17 IndyCar - Streets of Toronto - Source: Getty

Scott Dixon and Mario Andretti have been symbols of excellence in their IndyCar eras. The New Zealand driver slots second-highest in career wins, only nine short of A.J. Foyt, while the retired American legend is third with 52 wins.

In 2022, Dixon leveled Andretti's 52 on the streets of Toronto. He held off Colton Herta and Felix Rosenqvist to break a 22-race winless streak with a meager 0.8-second margin. His last win before this pivotal point had come in May 2021 in Texas. After the gratifying victory, he addressed equaling Andretti's record.

"It's amazing to be close to Mario,'' Dixon said via Autosport. "I'm just so thankful that he and AJ [Foyt] are in the pits and we get to talk to them. It's huge, it feels so good to be a part of this group."

Mario Andretti, too, lauded Dixon's accomplishment on X and the efforts of Chip Ganassi Racing as well.

"Utmost respect for my friend @scottdixon9 and truly happy to congratulate him on 52 wins. Also congratulate his team because nobody does it alone. I hope this is just a step on your continuing journey. Well done."

Scott Dixon finished the 2024 IndyCar season sixth in the standings with 456 points and two wins. As for Andretti, the 84-year-old has joined the General Motors-backed Cadillac F1 team in an advisory role. They will join the F1 grid in 2026 as the 11th team.