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IndyCar drivers robbed at gunpoint in US

Indycar driver Scott Dixon and former champion Dario Franchitti have been robbed at gunpoint in the US.

New Zealand IndyCar driver
IndyCar driver Scott Dixon (pic) and former champion Dario Franchitti have been robbed in the US. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Indianapolis 500 pole-winner Scott Dixon and retired three-time race winner Dario Franchitti were unharmed after being robbed at gunpoint in the drive-through lane of a fast-food restaurant while making a late-night food run.

The robbery happened shortly before 10pm on Sunday at a Taco Bell less than a mile from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where New Zealand's Dixon a few hours earlier had won the top starting position for IndyCar's showcase race next weekend.

Police did not immediately disclose what was taken.

Two boys, ages 15 and 14, were arrested a short time later.

The police report listed three victims: Dixon, his wife, Emma, and Franchitti.

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Police spokesman Aaron Hamer said Dixon's wife was not in the vehicle and the investigation was ongoing.

Tony Kanaan, Dixon's teammate with Chip Ganassi Racing, told reporters that Dixon was making a food run for a group of drivers, including himself.

Franchitti, who retired in 2013, also works for the team.

"While they were ordering with their windows down two guys approached at gunpoint," Kannan said.

"They held a gun at Dixon's head and asked him for his wallet and his phone. You don't expect that to happen, especially here."

Nobody in the car was hurt.

Dixon declined to comment on Monday. He is scheduled to be on the series' media tour in Toronto on Tuesday, where he is likely to be peppered with questions about what happened.

Until then, Ganassi and his team are not conducting interviews so they can focus on getting ready for Sunday's race.

"Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are completely fine after being held up last night by two men at a fast-food restaurant," the team said in a statement.


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