Kiwi driver Scott Dixon overcame an awful start to finish fifth at the latest IndyCar race at the Grand Prix at Road America in Wisconsin on Monday (NZT).
Starting 12th on the grid, Dixon was knocked into a spin on turn five by Ryan Hunter-Reay and dropped to dead last in the 23-car field.
Despite the early setback, the 38-year-old stormed back up the field to finish fifth, which keeps him fourth in the drivers' championship standings.
The Honda driver now sits 94 points behind series leader Josef Newgarden.
The race was won by American Alexander Rossi, who blitzed the field, as he finished 28 seconds ahead of Australian Will Power in second, with Newgarden third.
Rossi led 54 of 55 laps, only relinquishing the lead when he made pit stops.
Afterwards, Dixon admitted he was "frustrated" by the first-lap incident, but was pleased he was able to battle back.
"We tried staying high to stay out of the action, and got hit from behind and spun around.
"The problem is you're facing the wrong way, so to get around the right way is difficult and we were left 10 seconds behind the field.
"Credit to the team though, the car was really good. The whole race, you were thinking what could have been, had we held that position early on, especially with the strategy and race plan we were on with black tyres.
"Had we not had a 25-second deficit at the start, it could have been very different.
"It has been a tough run in the last three races. You can't do anything about it, you have to keep your head down - you can't win them all, but we'll keep trying."
Dixon had had mixed results in his last four races, which included two crashes, a race win and 17th at the famous Indianapolis 500.
The next IndyCar race takes place in Toronto on July 15.
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