In the season’s biggest event, the Indianapolis 500, Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) repeated his 2017 performance to become the 20th multiple Indy 500 winner.

The 2020 IndyCar series was set to begin on March 15, but with the spread of COVID-19, the United States declared a state of emergency on March 13, canceling the season-opener.

After organizers deliberated the safest way to proceed, the first round was held on June 6 at the Texas Motor Speedway without spectators. As Qualifying and the race were held on the same day, Takuma Sato who crashed during the qualifying session was unable to race.

The fastest in the Texas round was Dixon, who started second on the grid to take the lead on Lap 32, and although temporarily relinquishing his position due to pitstop timings, was in full command of the race and was first to the checkered flag. His victory marked 16 consecutive seasons of wins, and tied A. J. Foyt’s record of 18 seasons with at least one win.

With momentum on his side, Dixon went on to win the following two rounds in Indianapolis and Road America. His performance in Round 4 was a disappointing 12th, but with a second and fifth places in the double-header in Iowa, he moved ahead by 49 points over his nearest competitor.

Round 7, the Indianapolis 500, went largely according to the customary three-week schedule. Practice spanned August 11 through 14, Qualifying was held on the 15th and 16th, and the race was on August 23. Honda-powered teams were strong in practice, and in Qualifying, eight of the top 9 through to Day 2 were Hondas. Marco Andretti (Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb-Agajanian) was on pole, Dixon second grid. Takuma Sato, qualifying third, became the first Japanese on the Indy 500 front row.

In the race sans spectators, Sato was consistently fighting for the lead, and on Lap 185, pulled ahead. Sato was pushed hard by Dixon but kept his lead as the race was yellow-flagged into a full course caution on Lap 196 due to a crash. The pace car led the field to the end, giving Sato his second Indy 500 victory since 2017.

The following weekend in the Gateway double-header, Dixon won Round 8 with Sato runner-up. In Round 9, Sato took pole position.

Rounds 10 and 11 were held as a double-header at Mid-Ohio. In Round 11, Hondas dominated the top 5. Colton Herta (Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport) was the winner, his fourth victory in his second year of IndyCar racing, and Andretti Autosport dominated the podium for the first time since 2005.

The double-header rounds 12 and 13 were held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October, a rarity for the IndyCar series. Dixon, who finished ninth and eighth, was still 32 points ahead of his closest rival going into the final round.

In Round 14, the season finale at St. Petersburg, Dixon finished third, keeping his points lead intact and winning the championship. 2020 marked his sixth title, one shy of the all-time record, and the 17th time a Honda driver became champion.

For the first time, Honda won its third consecutive manufacturers’ title. Indy 500-champion Takuma Sato finished the season in seventh place, a career best.

For 2021, Chip Ganassi Racing adds Alex Palou and NASCAR champion Jimmy Johnson to their 2020 champion Scott Dixon and Marcus Ericcson. Andretti Autosport will race with Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta. Two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato continues to race alongside Graham Rahal for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Meyer Shank Racing have Jack Harvey and Helio Castroneves. Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport and Dale Coyne Racing will be announcing their drivers soon.

Race Reports

• Rd.01Dixon Dominates in Texas for Honda

• Rd.02Dixon, Rahal Head Honda 1-2 at GMR Grand Prix in Indianapolis

• Rd.03Dixon, Honda Now Three for Three with Road America Victory

• Rd.04Honda Scores Fourth Consecutive 2020 Indy Car Win

• Rd.05Dixon, Honda Come Home Second in Iowa Opener

• Rd.06Rahal Runs Third for Honda to Complete Iowa Speedway Doubleheader

• Rd.07Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato Score Another Honda 1-2

• Rd.08Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato Score Another Honda 1-2

• Rd.09Scott Dixon Runs Fifth for Honda to Close Out Doubleheader Weekend

• Rd.10Rossi Runs Third for Honda in Opener of Honda Indy 200 Doubleheader

• Rd.11Honda, Andretti Autosport Sweep Mid-Ohio Closer

• Rd.12Rossi Runs Second For Honda at Harvest Grand Prix

• Rd.13Herta, Rossi Podium Finishes Lead Honda Effort at Harvest Grand Prix

• Rd.14Honda Claims Third Consecutive INDYCAR Title, Dixon His Sixth Drivers’ Championship at St. Petersburg Season Finale

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