Embarrassed Dixon foils himself

New Zealand's Scott Dixon has missed out on a podium finish in the latest round of IndyCar after an uncharacteristic mistake left him out of the top ten finishers.

Dixon, aiming for a record fourth straight win on the same track, was preparing to make a run at leader Darren Manning after a long caution period and spun out under yellow before being hit from behind by Australian Ryan Briscoe.

With just 12 laps remaining in the race and just an out-of-form Manning ahead of him, Dixon's chances at a win were great.

Dixon said he was trying to get some heat into his new front tyres after pitting on lap 41. He shot forward and, suddenly, his Dallara-Honda spun.

"I was a complete idiot," an obviously embarrassed Dixon told AP after getting restarted and finishing 11th. "We lost a lot of valuable points today. I feel more down for Briscoe and the boys."

American driver Ryan Hunter-Reay took victory, followed by Manning and Tony Kanaan.

Dixon recovered from 14th spot after the crash to finish 11th and take 19 points which stretched his series lead out by five points to 48 over closest rival Helio Castroneves of Brazil who finished 16th to pick up 14 points.

Dixon leads the series with 370 points followed by Castroneves on 322, Dan Wheldon third on 311, Tony Kanaan on 304 and Marco Andretti on 241.

- © Fairfax NZ News