Last year, Scott Dixon's race at Le Mans was challenging in the wake of a stunning accident three weeks earlier at the Indianapolis 500. "That was the hardest weekend of my season last year, but I'm always thrilled to be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans," admits the New Zealander. Though he wasn't a 100%, he still managed to finish seventh in the LMGTE Pro class (23rd overall). Two of his fellow countrymen, Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley, won the race at the wheel of their Porsche 919 Hybrid along with German driver Timo Bernhard. It was a win from behind that Scott Dixon greatly admired: "Earl and Brendon's win was fantastic given the circumstances, coming from the back of the grid. It was incredible."

In 2018, Scott Dixon is back at the top of his game heading into his third 24 Hours of Le Mans with Chip Ganassi's factory Ford team on the heels of a packed schedule since early May: "After qualifying then the race at the Indianapolis 500, the two IndyCar rounds at Detroit and Forth Worth, it's a really busy time for me, but I love it. This year, I really feel confident. Every year at the 24 Hours, the competition is different. In 2018, we'll have to face 16 cars in LMGTE Pro, with new constructors and new cars."

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), DOWNTOWN, 24 HOURSOFLEMANS, SCRUTINEERING, MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018. In 2016, Scott Dixon reached the third step on the LMGTE Pro podium for his first 24 Hours. In 2018, he returns to Le Mans after becoming the third winningest driver in the American IndyCar Series with 43 victories.