Scott Mclaughlin shares his thoughts after his victory in the Grand Prix of Portland.
On Making History
The Grand Prix of Portland saw an all New Zealand, Australia podium. The first time it’s happened in the Indycar Series.
“For me to share a podium with those two, it’s pretty cool. I knew the battle with those guys towards the end of the race is always awesome. I could see Dixon. Of course, he is right there, of course. It’s super cool. Two of those guys, I looked up to, and I think massive for Australia and New Zealand motorsport. These West Coast times are actually really good for Australia, New Zealand, where it’s not too early in the morning like the other ones. Yeah, it’s really cool.”
Season #2
McLaughlin has seen a big transformation from his rookie season to nearing the end of his second season in Indycar, winning three races and being in championship contention at the end of the season.
“I thought we could be a little bit of an underdog and creep up on everyone there. Three races is huge. I wanted to get at least one, but we managed to obviously win three, which is awesome. Like I said before, for me it’s just we’re building some serious momentum for next year, and I’m learning a ton. I feel like a completely different driver even from the start of the year at St. Pete. I just feel a lot more complete. Like I said before, I feel like I’m driving the best I have my whole life. Hopefully, that means good things for next year, and we can work together as a team. Like, the team cars are unreal to drive. It’s hard work from all three of us, and I’m proud to be doing the job.”
“It’s pretty wild. I’m tremendously proud to be going in with a mathematical chance. I’ve said many times last year was hard, and mentally draining and hard on my wife, it was hard on her because she saw me upset and just not happy, but there was also a time when I was going overboard in terms of unhappiness because I felt, like, very hard on myself. I always have been, but it was just a hard year. When we won St. Pete, it was like, Okay, well, maybe I can do a little bit more. And then with my guys, engineer Ben, you know, it’s very cool. “
“I just am really grateful to be able to just compete for Captain and compete and win and do him proud. Any time you see him and he is coming up after the race, it’s very cool. It’s just a huge turnaround. Really proud. I think like I’ve said before, it’s just creating momentum for next year, which I believe I can go into next year and compete for the championship the whole way through.“
The Season Finale
Going into the season finale at Laguna Seca, McLaughlin is 41 points behind championship leader Will Power. With 54 points on offer over the weekend he still has a mathematical chance of winning the Indycar championship.
“I have nothing to lose, but at the same time, I want to do the best job for my team. I don’t need to be a Kamikaze or anything like that, but I just need to focus on what I’m doing and just dot my Is, cross my Ts, and have a good run. The ideal weekend is a pole race win. It’s no doubt that I can go to Laguna Seca and win, and I’m ready to do that.”
The Contenders – The Fantastic Five
There are five drivers eligible to win the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship this Sunday at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and Scott McLaughlin. It’s the first time since 2003 that five drivers have contended for the Astor Challenge Cup at a season finale without double points, as double points were awarded at the final race from 2015-19.
Two teams field all five drivers – Power, Newgarden and McLaughlin drive for Team Penske, while Dixon and Ericsson drive for Chip Ganassi Racing. There are nine previous drivers’ championships among these fantastic five, with Dixon winning six (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020), Newgarden two (2017, 2019) and Power one (2014).
If Power finishes third or better in the 95-lap race Sunday (live coverage starts at 7am Monday on SKY TV), he will earn his second championship regardless of his rivals’ results.
DRIVER POINTS
1 Will Power 523
2 Josef Newgarden 503
3 Scott Dixon 503
4 Marcus Ericsson 484
5 Scott McLaughlin 482
