INDIANAPOLIS — Less than six months ago, Scott Dixon clinched the IndyCar Series Championship. On Tuesday, his team marked the occasion with what has become a very regular thing at Chip Ganassi Racing.
Their names would not be instantly recognizable to most IndyCar fans, but each and every one of them played an important role in Scott Dixon winning the 2018 IndyCar series championship.
"There's so many moving pieces and so many individuals that make this possible," Dixon said. "I'm just a small part of a big machine that allow us to go out on the big stage and try to end the year on top, and last year we did."
As a reward for the efforts, team owner Chip Ganassi presented every member of the organization with a ring to commemorate their success in clinching the IndyCar points title.
"The winning just continues, this run that we've had. Winning races and winning championships," Ganassi said to his team. "Very fortunate to work with each and every one of you. can't tell you how proud I am to represent you."
In every corner of CGR's Indianapolis headquarters are the collections gathered for more than two decades of winning. Tuesday being the 12th such celebration for this team. The fifth for Dixon.
"Yeah we won the championship last year, but at the end of the day these are the only things you have to show for it sometimes," Ganassi said. "You have a ring, everything else comes and goes but you never forget these rings that are such a big part of it."
"Mementos, especially the ring, it's something you can look at and a flood of memories come to mind," Dixon said. "It's a special day, proud of each and every one of them."
As the new IndyCar season gets set to begin, this crew - this team - has a strong focus on doing it all again.
"I'm proud to represent them as their leader, in actual fact, I don't build the cars, change the tires," Ganassi said. "These guys work tirelessly day and night. The least we can do is give them a championship ring to remember it by."
A few members of the PNC Bank management team also received rings. Jostens customized all the rings for each recipient. Dixon said he only wears his on special occasions.
