No. 3 Odyssey Battery Dallara/Chevrolet – Scott McLaughlin
Start: 2nd
Finish: 1st – Second career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory and 50th Team Penske win
Laps Led: 45
Point Standings: 7th (-69 pts)
Race Rundown: Scott McLaughlin and the No. 3 Odyssey Battery Chevy team returned to their winning ways by taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. McLaughlin becomes the second multiple NTT INDYCAR SERIES winner this year, joining teammate Josef Newgarden. A strong qualifying effort saw the second-year driver start the race from the second position, and he was able to take the lead following a strong pit stop by the No. 3 crew on lap 30. From there it was a duel between McLaughlin and Alex Palou, the defending series champion. With varying tires and seconds of overtake, McLaughlin was able to keep Palou at bay to score his 50th win with Team Penske, good for third on the all-time list.
McLaughlin’s Thoughts: “It’s amazing. I really wanted to get a win with mom and dad here. It was our first time we had Odyssey Battery on the car, and you know it was it was awesome as well to have them on board, but that mom and dad is very special on America’s weekend. Last night I was dressed up as a bald eagle, so maybe I need to do that every year on July 4th weekend. It was tough, you’re thinking about fuel but thankfully Chevy gave us the great fuel mileage and drivability off the restarts that allowed me to get a little bit of a gap from Palou and the Honda. I’m really proud of the guys for the car they gave me even though it was a little hard to drive towards the end. I would love to make it a little bit easier for myself but I’m super proud.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
