TORONTO - Scott Dixon went into Pocono Raceway a week ago ranked seventh in the IndyCar standings and approaching the one-year mark on his last victory.
My, what a difference a week makes.
Dixon snapped his slump with a win at Pocono, then pulled off a weekend sweep Sunday of the doubleheader event at Toronto.
Three wins in seven days made Dixon the winningest active driver in IndyCar, but more importantly thrust him into the heart of the championship race. With six races remaining, he's vaulted over the last week five spots in the standings to second and trails championship leader Helio Castroneves by 29 points.
"We're here for the points. It's been a hell of a swing over a seven-day period," Dixon said. "It's nice to put a little pressure on Helio, and hopefully we can keep that going."
Next up for IndyCar? An Aug. 4 race at Mid-Ohio, where Dixon is the defending race winner. Dixon isn't thinking about a second series championship just yet - he instead wants to focus on finding the same consistency Castroneves has used to take control of the points race.
"Helio has had a pretty stress-free year as far as not being involved in accidents or having mechanicals," Dixon said. "I think it's still going to be a tough battle. I like the look of the tracks we have coming up. I think we are in the hunt."
Castroneves, who finished second to Dixon on Sunday, isn't giving up and doesn't view Dixon as any bigger of a threat than he did defending series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who was second in the standings until this weekend.
"Both are champions ... they've been there," Castroneves said.