Nascar

Scott Dixon wins 4th IndyCar title by snatching championship away from Juan Pablo Montoya

Associated Press
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Scott Dixon competes during the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma auto race Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, celebrates atop his car after winning the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma auto race and IndyCar championship Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

Scott Dixon captured a fourth IndyCar championship by winning the season finale Sunday to snatch away the title from Juan Pablo Montoya.

Montoya led the points from the season-opening race right until the final lap Sunday. But he finished the race in sixth, which allowed Dixon to tie him in the standings.

Dixon was awarded the title based on wins; Sonoma Raceway was his third victory, while Montoya had only two.

Montoya's day was made difficult on lap 39 when he hit Team Penske teammate Will Power. It sent him to pit lane for repairs and he was mired in the middle of the pack for the bulk of the race.

Although he picked off a few positions, his hard charge to move up to fifth fell one position short.