MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin stuns with IndyCar podium

Against all the odds, Scott McLaughlin is already an IndyCar star.

Just three races into his single-seater career in the US, and on a high-banked oval where cars routinely top 380km/h, he finished second at Texas Motor Speedway.

McLaughlin was only beaten by fellow New Zealander Scott Dixon, an IndyCar legend who rates third on the series’ all-time winners list, in his first shot at an oval-track race.

The margin between first and second after the 480km Genesys 300 was just three tenths of a second, while McLaughlin’s fellow Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power trailed behind in sixth, 10th and 14th respectively.

“It’s definitely the most happy I’ve ever been finishing second. It’s one of those things where a little bit unexpected just because I knew how tough it was going to be. For it to happen on an oval is a pretty proud moment,” said McLaughlin

The three-times Supercars champion has already justified the investment by Roger Penske and his Australian team boss Ryan Story, in a graduation from Supercars to IndyCar that now sees him leading the rookie ratings ahead of Formula One refugee Romain Grosjean and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, who didn’t even front at Texas because of the risk.

The foundation for McLaughlin’s result was two savvy tactical calls which saw him pitting ahead of incidents, giving him the track position which is so vital to move up in oval racing.

But he also had to race fast and smart, something recognised by Dixon.

“He was fast. I kept looking down, looking in the mirror,” he said.

For anyone who thinks that IndyCar is easy, McLaughlin has the answer.

“Mentally it’s quite a draining thing, trying to always concentrate on what is going to happen in front of you in traffic. A lot of things going on,” he said.

“I’ve worked very hard behind the scenes looking at footage, talking to my teammates about where we can get better. Really proud to have been able to deliver tonight when I needed to.

“The boys on the team put me in position. I was able to deliver. That’s what I’m really proud of.”

McLaughlin faces another Texas challenge in the second race of a weekend double-header (running Monday, Australian time) but he is feeling different after his podium.

“I’ve got the confidence that I can be there or thereabouts in the future. Very surprising to get a result on the oval. But there’s a lot to learn,” he said.

“I think I’ve still got a bit of time before I’m comfortable. I don’t think you’re ever comfortable. I’m still nervous every time I go out on the track.”

The one thing that has definitely changed is McLaughlin’s attitude to another runner-up result.

“Probably too happy finishing second. Definitely you won’t get me like this ever again. I’m sure hopefully we can go one better next time,” he said.