Dixon happy to stay in the shadows

By Lewis Franck

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Indy 500 pole winner Scott Dixon is happy to remain in the shadows until the green flag falls at the start of the 92nd race on Sunday (1815GMT).

Most eyes will focus on Danica Patrick, the first woman to win an Indy car race, and Brazil's Helio Castroneves, a twice winner who won the U.S. television show "Dancing with the Stars".

That suits Dixon, a reserved New Zealander, just fine.

"I always try to lay lower than most," Dixon told Reuters. "Especially before such a big race.

"I think it's a nice way to go into it so you don't set massively big expectations or talk a big game until you're over and done with it. I'd rather fly low and have a good day."

Starting from pole in the 200 lap, 500 mile race known as the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing", appears unimportant due to the length of the race and variables like pit stops and caution flags.

Dixon is also aware that it is not where you start but where you finish with few race fans remembering who won the pole.

"I guess they do remember these (pole) for a couple of weeks, but, once you're the winner of the race it over crowds everything," said Dixon.

In six starts, Dixon's best finish was last year when he finished second behind Britain's Dario Franchitti.

He also finished runner-up to Franchitti in the series standings.

Now that Franchitti has left for NASCAR, Dixon should be considered a favorite to win the United States's classic race.

Although Dixon won the IndyCar series title in 2003, his fortunes, as well as his team's, suffered from performance problems for the next two years.

The turning point came at the end of 2005 when the team owner hired then reigning Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon as his teammate.

"Dan was a big part of my transition to definitely picking it up," Dixon told reporters.

(Editing by John Mehaffey)