Scott McLaughlin converts for maiden Indycar victory in St Petersburg
Scott McLaughlin has taken his first Indycar career victory with a dominant strategy from Team Penske in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
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The Kiwi started on pole and held the upper hand over the field on a two-stop strategy after being able to make his soft tyres last in the opening stint.
Scott McLaughlin celebrates in St. Petersburg. (Penske Entertainment)
McLaughlin then held off a late challenge from reigning series champion Alex Palou to take the win in Florida by 0.5095 of a second.
"Thank you to Roger Penske, everyone," said McLaughlin.
"Yeah, DEX Imaging jumping on board, trusting me, and then Roger Penske and Tim Cindric giving me the opportunity to come here."
"I miss my mom and dad dearly and my family."
"Wish you guys were here."
"What a day."
Scott McLaughlin with his winning No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet. (Penske Entertainment)
McLaughlin and Palou, both on the two-stop strategy, retained the lead of the field as the historic low number of yellow flags meant drivers on a three-stop were unable to keep pace.
Both drivers had to make it past Jimmie Johnson who was struggling to stay on the lead lap, with the hold-up helping Palou catch up to the leader.
McLaughlin was able to make his way through and hold station at the front of the field to take the chequered flag.
"Oh, man, it was crazy," McLaughlin said.
"Really struggled those last couple laps just to keep my head and then save the fuel and all that sort of stuff."
"But we did it."
"Chevy gave us the fuel mileage."
"Drivability this weekend has been a change, and to win at DEX Imaging's home race is unreal."
"Oh, my God, I'm just – love you Australia, New Zealand, miss you guys."
"Thinking of everyone in the Queensland floods at the moment."
Indycar returns at the Texas Motor Speedway on March 20.
Indycar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - Result
1. (1) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 100, Running
2. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 100, Running
3. (2) Will Power, Chevrolet, 100, Running
4. (3) Colton Herta, Honda, 100, Running
5. (5) Romain Grosjean, Honda, 100, Running
6. (4) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 100, Running
7. (11) Graham Rahal, Honda, 100, Running
8. (7) Scott Dixon, Honda, 100, Running
9. (8) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 100, Running
10. (22) Takuma Sato, Honda, 100, Running
11. (15) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 100, Running
12. (16) Pato O'Ward, Chevrolet, 100, Running
13. (23) Jack Harvey, Honda, 100, Running
14. (17) Helio Castroneves, Honda, 100, Running
15. (6) Simon Pagenaud, Honda, 100, Running
16. (9) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 100, Running
17. (21) Felix Rosenqvist, Chevrolet, 100, Running
18. (12) Kyle Kirkwood, Chevrolet, 100, Running
19. (19) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, 100, Running
20. (13) Alexander Rossi, Honda, 100, Running
21. (20) Conor Daly, Chevrolet, 100, Running
22. (18) Devlin DeFrancesco, Honda, 100, Running
23. (26) Jimmie Johnson, Honda, 99, Running
24. (25) Tatiana Calderon, Chevrolet, 97, Running
25. (14) Dalton Kellett, Chevrolet, 62, Mechanical
26. (24) David Malukas, Honda, 23, Contact
