Graham Rahal's gamble doesn't pay off at Detroit Grand Prix

Graham Rahal started the Chevrolet Dual I with black primary tires.

Everyone else? Red alternate tires.

"You can't just follow the leader," said Rahal, who became the first driver to sweep the Detroit Chevrolet Dual races at the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle last year. "You got to be your own person."

Rahal's tactic served him well in the first 44 laps, as he led Laps 24-25. But then came Lap 45.

Rahal came around Turn 13 when his No. 15 car slightly hit the curve sending him into the wall. His day was done.

"It was about the worst hit you could take around here," Rahal said. "It's unfortunate, because obviously we were going to finish third or worse, and it looks like our competitors are struggling today. Disappointed in myself."

Earlier in the race, Rahal said he had "brushed a wall," which may have played in a role in his crash later in the race. Rahal isn't the only one that had trouble on the course, with rookie Santino Ferruci also crashing out of the race. 

It's become something drivers are used to when they race in Detroit.

More:With Detroit victory, Scott Dixon continues ascent into IndyCar's elite

More:Scott Dixon scores first win of season at opening leg of Detroit doubleheader

"It's a very fine margin around a place like this. You have to get as close as possible to the curve because that's where the grip is," Alexander Rossi said. "It's easy to make a mistake. I brushed a wall in practice, too. I brushed a wall in the race. You're constantly searching for that." 

Historic day for Dixon

Scott Dixon led 39 of the 70 laps Saturday, dominating in the pits and perfecting his restarts. It was his first win of the season. 

"Super proud of everybody," Dixon said. "We're going to come back and do it all again tomorrow. It would have been nice to celebrate tonight."

Dixon has now won a race in 14 consecutive years, breaking the IndyCar record. This was also his 42nd career win, which ties him with Michael Andretti for third all-time. He needs 11 more wins to move into second. 

Honda dominates in Chevy's backyard

Despite Belle Isle's status as their virtual home track, Team Penske and Chevrolet struggled on the island on Saturday. Indy 500 champion Will Power finished seventh for Penske and Chevy, with Josef Newgarden finishing two spots behind him in ninth. 

"They beat us at the Honda Grand Prix at Alabama, didn't they?" Rossi joked. "This is our revenge."

"It's slick around here, so it's like we're having a pretty good time putting the power down," said Ryan Hunter-Reay, who finished just 1.8249 seconds behind Dixon. "Whether that's more torque or whether it's drivability, I don't know. I'm not sure, but (Honda) definitely had the stronger package today. 

Rossi continues to lead IndyCar Series

With his third-place finish, Alexander Rossi leads the IndyCar points standings with 276 points. Dixon earned 54 points Saturday, moving him into second with 272 points, just ahead of Power (269 points).

Only 10 races remain in the IndyCar Series season, and right now, Rossi says he is just focused on the road ahead of him.

"We're still looking for race wins. That's the main goal," Rossi said. "Obviously, with four laps to go, I knew I wasn't going to catch Ryan and Scott, so it was just about bringing the car home at that point."  

DETROIT GRAND PRIX RACE RESULTS

Race No. 1 Saturday from the 2.35-mile street course at Belle Isle Park in Detroit (starting position in parentheses):

1. (2) Scott Dixon, Honda, 70, Running.

2. (5) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Honda, 70, Running.

3. (4) Alexander Rossi, Honda, 70, Running.

4. (1) Marco Andretti, Honda, 70, Running.

5. (7) Takuma Sato, Honda, 70, Running.

6. (11) Ed Jones, Honda, 70, Running.

7. (6) Will Power, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

8. (3) Robert Wickens, Honda, 70, Running.

9. (14) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

10. (12) Spencer Pigot, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

11. (9) James Hinchcliffe, Honda, 70, Running.

12. (16) Zach Veach, Honda, 70, Running.

13. (17) Sebastien Bourdais, Honda, 70, Running.

14. (15) Tony Kanaan, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

15. (21) Matheus Leist, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

16. (20) Jordan King, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

17. (13) Simon Pagenaud, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

18. (19) Gabby Chaves, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

19. (22) Charlie Kimball, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

20. (10) Max Chilton, Chevrolet, 70, Running.

21. (23) Rene Binder, Chevrolet, 67, Running.

22. (18) Santino Ferrucci, Honda, 55, Contact.

23. (8) Graham Rahal, Honda, 45, Contact.

Race Statistics

Winner’s average speed: 99.285 mph.

Time of Race: 1:39:24.6189.

Margin of victory: 1.8249 seconds.

Cautions: 2 for 10 laps.

Lead changes: 6 among 4 drivers.

Lap Leaders: Andretti 1-22; Dixon 23; Rahal 24-25; Hunter-Reay 26-31; Dixon32-44; Hunter-Reay 45; Dixon 46-70.

Point standings: Rossi 276, Dixon 272, Power 269, Newgarden 255, Hunter-Reay 227, Wickens 202, Rahal 191, Bourdais 185, Andretti 175, Pagenaud 168.