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2012 Detroit Grand Prix Update: Scott Dixon Leads Sold-Out Race At Red Flag Stoppage After 45 Laps

The 90-lap Detroit Grand Prix is underway on Belle Isle, and Honda driver Scott Dixon holds the No. 1 spot by a wide margin over Will Power at the race's halfway point with a sold-out crowd in attendance.

Dixon, the pole-sitter after a 105.978 qualifying speed, has been virtually flawless thus far, and leads Power by more than 10 seconds through 45 laps as the two have quite literally dominated the first half of the race. In third place sits first-year Honda driver Simon Pagenaud, a rookie who is continuing his strong week in Motown.

2012 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti made a valiant effort early on after starting in the No. 15 spot, but clipped a left wing on the 24th lap and was passed by a number of other racers. His car was reportedly okay and he currently sits in the eighth spot, but will have a hard time catching the duo of Dixon and Power over the final 45 laps on such a tight track.

Over the last few laps the track has taken plenty of abuse unfortunately, as pieces have come up and caused a number of drivers to wreck. With the drivers' safety the utmost concern, the race entered a red flag after the 45h lap as IndyCar officials determined how to best deal with the mangled track.

With Dixon and Power going a perfect 1 and 2 all day, the final stretch, if it ever happens, would figure to bring a great deal of excitement to all of the eager Detroit fans who turned out for a glorious Sunday afternoon in the city. Dixon can already sniff a victory after coming in second place at last week's Indy 500 however, and is just another near-perfect 45-lap stretch away from taking this year's race in spectacular fashion.

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