DETROIT – One of the unique aspects that sets the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix apart as a special event comes the day after the weekend doubleheader. That is when the winners of both races get to make one more lap around Detroit to talk to local media about their conquests on the demanding Belle Isle street course.

With Detroit Grand Prix and Team Penske Director of Communications Merrill Cain at the wheel of a black Chevy Tahoe, and assistance from Colby Redmond of INDYCAR’s communication staff, Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon had a busy Monday.

Newgarden won Saturday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Race 1 that was timed at 75 minutes after lightning delayed the start by nearly 90 minutes. Dixon drove to an impressive victory in Sunday’s Race 2, which was contested under ideal conditions including sunny skies and mild temperatures.

The Monday media lap around Detroit included live visits on the city’s morning television news shows culminating with a Media Brunch at the Hudson Café on Woodward Ave. in downtown Detroit.

When Cain pulled up to the curb outside the Hudson Café, Dixon and Newgarden climbed out of the back seat ready to meet a group of media that included NBC Sports.com, Autoweek, Motorsport.com, Trackside Online, the Honda IndyCar Report and NTT INDYCAR Mobile.

Shortly before Newgarden enjoyed a plate of Huevos Rancheros and Dixon ordered a Vegan “Beyond Burger,” both drivers talked about the importance of the weekend doubleheader.

In some ways, both winners traded places from one race to the other. Dixon crashed in Turn 6 on Lap 24 of Saturday’s Race No. 1 and finished last in the 22-car field. Earlier in the contest, Newgarden pitted to switch from rain tires to the dry racing slicks at the perfect time when Ed Jones crashed in Turn 7, mere moments after Newgarden was in his pit box.

That gave Newgarden track position ahead of Alexander Rossi and he went on to win the race.

“We picked up track position there and that helped us in the final result,” Newgarden told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “Tim Cindric made a great call on that one.

“It was great to have a solid day. I’m really pleased we had a great Saturday. Wish we could have finished it off better on Sunday.”

In Sunday’s 70-lap contest, Newgarden crashed when he was involved in a three-car pileup on Lap 33 that also involved James Hinchcliffe and Rossi. Newgarden finished 19th. Dixon used a pit-stop strategy where he made one less stop than the other contenders. He needed to make a stop to get off the Firestone “Red” tires and dove into his pit box on Lap 15. A few seconds later, Sebastien Bourdais ran into the back of Spencer Pigot’s car as it was trying to pit, bringing out a timely yellow flag for Dixon.

“There was almost a net zero for the weekend, which is unfortunate for us because we had the potential to do much better than that,” Newgarden said. “I’m certainly happy with Saturday and most of Sunday, up until the finish. I thought our guys did a great job and our cars were prepared.

“We showed up ready to fight this weekend. Unfortunately, we got caught up in something and weren’t able to capitalize on two very solid points situations.”

Newgarden has a 15-point lead over Rossi heading to Texas Motor Speedway for Saturday night’s DXC Technology 600. Dixon is fourth in points, 52 points behind Newgarden.

Dixon’s Sunday victory cut his points deficit in half.

“It was good for us to be back in the points game,” Dixon told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “After Saturday’s issue, we were almost 93 points out. The 100-point mark is the cutoff to have some redemption and get back in the championship race.

“We had a superb Sunday. The team did an amazing job. Everybody on the PNC Bank No. 9 Honda, the pit stops, and strategy were flawless. To halve that points gap is the direction we needed to start heading.

“Hopefully, we can keep that ball rolling and continue to close the points gap.”

Newgarden drivers for Team Penske and Dixon at Chip Ganassi Racing, but the two share a friendly rivalry.

“It is an honor to share this with Scott Dixon,” Newgarden said.