MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin claims second Indycar win
Antipodeans dominate North American scene with multiple victoriesThree-times Australian Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has returned to form in the latest Indycar Series race at the Mid Ohio Sportscar Course, claiming his second victory of the year.
After breaking through at the season-opening event in St Petersburg from pole and finishing a close second at Texas Motor Speedway, the Kiwi suffered a string of tough results, including a non-finish at the Indy 500 after crashing out late.
In a race that featured six caution periods, McLaughlin started second and held station in the opening exchanges behind polesitter Pato O’Ward.
However, mechanical issues slowed the Mexican driver’s progress, with McLaughlin gaining the ascendancy during green flag pit stops on lap 31 of 80, subsequently leading 45 of the final 52 circuits.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for McLaughlin, who had to fend off the advances of Alex Palau as the reigning series champion applied pressure in the closing laps, with only 0.5sec splitting the pair at the chequered flag.
“This is amazing,” McLaughlin said.
“I’m really proud of the [Team Penske crew]. The car they gave me was a little hard to drive toward the end. I would love to make it a little bit easier for myself, but I’m super proud of them.
“You’re thinking about fuel [at the end of the race], but thankfully Chevy gave us great fuel mileage and drivability off the restarts that allowed me to get a bit of a gap from Palou.”
The result elevated McLaughlin two positions in the standings to sit seventh after nine of the scheduled 17 events, and makes him only the second repeat race winner of the season to date, following in the footsteps of his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden.
Elsewhere in the race, Will Power made a stunning comeback drive to finish the race in third position.
After qualifying 21st, a spin on the opening lap sent the Toowoomba native to 27th and last, before he rallied back into contention.
Sitting second in the standings, the result has seen Power close the gap to series-leader Marcus Eriksson to only 20 points.
Earlier in the day, the Antipodean success extended to the Indy Lights race, where Andretti Autosport teammates Hunter McElrea and Matthew Brabham finished one-two.
For McElrea, the victory is the latest milestone in his stunning rookie season in the Indycar feeder series, after claiming pole position on debut in St Petersburg, and subsequently finishing on the podium at Indianapolis, Detroit and Road America.
Elsewhere in North America, Matt Campbell was a winner in the IMSA GTD Pro class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, with the result coming a week after his announcement as a driver for Porsche’s new prototype program from next season.
The Indycar Series returns to the streets of Toronto on July 17th.
Indycar Mid Ohio results:
- Scott McLaughlin
- Alex Palau
- Will Power
- Runus Veekay
- Scott Dixon
- Marcus Ericsson
- Josef Newgarden
- Helio Castroneves
- David Malukas
- Simon Pagenaud
2022 Indycar Series standings:
- Marcus Ericsson, 321
- Will Power, 301
- Josef Newgarden, 287
- Alex Palau, 286
- Pato O’Ward, 256
- Scott Dixon, 254
- Scott McLaughlin, 252
- Alexander Rossi, 229
- Simon Pagenaud, 217
- Colton Herta, 212
Related: MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin is an Indy winner
Related: MOTORSPORT: Aussie lands top Porsche prototype seat
Related: MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin to miss Bathurst 1000
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