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For the 15th consecutive year, the NTT IndyCar Series Championship has come down to the final race of the season. In a familiar position, Scott Dixon can win his sixth championship and first since 2018. But he’s got some competition.

IndyCar Harvest Grand Prix Race 1 champion Josef Newgarden is just 32 points back of Dixon’s lead. And with the race set in sunny St. Petersburg, that gives some extra confidence to Newgarden. The 28-year-old won the race last year, as well as the championship.

One way or another, someone will make history on Sunday. Either Dixon grabs number six, or Newgarden becomes a three-time champ. To break down the key race in Florida, Kevin Lee from Trackside on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan stopped by The Fan Morning Show with Kevin Bowen and Big Joe.

“It’s noteworthy because it looked like it was locked up all season long,” Lee said. “Dixon won the first three races and led by 117 points, but Newgarden has been on a charge and Dixon has been average in the last four races.”

Dixon last won on August 29 at Gateway. Since then, Newgarden has not faltered. The next day in Race 2 at Gateway, Newgarden took the victory. Then his key win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on October 2 set up this final showdown. Newgarden needs the cards to be dealt in a very specific way to swipe the championship, however.

“Newgarden needs to win the race and Dixon has to finish 10th or worse,” Lee added. “Since Newgarden won the race last year and Dixon’s average finish has been 9 or 10 in the last four races, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”

Qualifying in St. Petersburg will take place tomorrow afternoon, with the green flag waved on Sunday at 2:30 PM on NBC.

Tune into The Fan Morning Show weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

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