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IRL honors points winner Dixon in somber ceremony

HAMPTON, Ga. (Ticker) -- What was supposed to be a celebration of Scott Dixon's IRL championship turned into a night to remember Tony Renna, the driver who was killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday.

The affair was held at World Showcase at Epcot at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida and was toned down out of respect to Renna, who would have been Dixon's teammate at Target/Chip Ganassi Racing next season. He was killed just four laps into his first test with the team.

Dixon and Infiniti Pro Series champion Mark Taylor were honored Saturday night.

Dixon and his teammates were presented with the IndyCar Series Cup and a $1 million bonus for winning the championship by IRL president and CEO Tony George.

Taylor and Panther Racing were awarded the Firestone Firehawk Cup by Firestone Racing executive director Al Speyer for winning the Menard's Infiniti Pro Series championship.

Actor Jason Priestley was the host of the annual championship celebration, which was held in Orlando for the first time. Ironically, Renna served as Priestley's driving coach in the Infiniti Pro Series last season before the actor suffered serious head injuries himself in a crash at Kentucky Speedway in August 2002.

The 23-year-old Dixon won three races and clinched the title with a second-place finish in the season-ending Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. He edged Gil de Ferran, 507-489.

The 25-year-old Taylor dominated the Menard's Infiniti Pro Series, scoring five poles and a record seven wins in 12 races. He outpointed Jeff Simmons, 482-407.

Other awards also were presented, including the Bombardier Rookie of the Year Award and a $50,000 bonus to Dan Wheldon.

George presented the Gil de Ferran Tribute Award to de Ferran, who won the Indianapolis 500 in July and announced his retirement in August.

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