Scott Dixon wins his first Long Beach Grand Prix

Scott Dixon won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the first time Sunday in dominant fashion.

The three-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion led 44 of the race’s 80 laps and won by 2.2 seconds over second-place Helio Castroneves.

Juan Pablo Montoya finished third and Simon Pagenaud was fourth at the 1.97-mile, 11-turn course on Long Beach’s seaside streets.

“I still can’t believe we won here at Long Beach,” said Dixon, who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing. “It’s such a memorable and worthy track. I’m just so stoked.”

Dixon’s previous best finish at Long Beach was fourth in 2010. Sunday’s victory was his 36th career IndyCar victory.

Castroneves started on the pole, followed by Montoya and Dixon. But Dixon quickly passed Montoya and then assumed the lead after leaving the pits ahead of Castroneves about one-third into the race.

Dixon became the third winner in IndyCar’s first three races this year.

Montoya won the season opener in St. Petersburg, Fla., and James Hinchcliffe won a week ago in New Orleans. Hinchcliffe finished 12th at Long Beach.