New Zealander Scott McLaughlin overtook Spaniard Alex Palo in Sunday’s Mid-Ohio Indy 200 to claim his second career win in the IndyCar series of motorsports.
McLaughlin, 29, started on the outside of the 80th row at the 2.258-mile (3.6 km) course in Lexington, Ohio and dominated the final 50 laps.
“Unbelievable,” McLaughlin said. “I wanted to win here with mom and dad.”
The New Zealander won his first IndyCar event at the 2022 season opener in St Petersburg, Florida.
For his part, the 25-year-old Baloo, the reigning IndyCar champion, has yet to win a test this year, including second at Mid-Ohio, Alabama and St. Petersburg this Sunday.
“We were very close,” Balu noted. “Our car was fast. Very happy to be back on the podium.”
Australian Will Power, who spun in the first lap and dropped to last place, finished third, followed by Dutchman Rinus Wiege and fellow New Zealander Scott Dixon.
Indianapolis 500 winner Markus Eriksson of Sweden finished sixth but was 27 to 20 points behind Power in the drivers’ standings, second, American Joseph Newgarden (34) third and Ballou fourth by 35 points.
Mexican Pato O’Ward, who won the pole on Saturday and finished second in the Indianapolis 500, is out this Sunday.
The next race, the tenth of 17 scheduled for the season, will be held on July 17 in Toronto (Canada).
– Sunday’s IndyCar Series Mid-Ohio race results:
1. Scott McLaughlin (NZL-Penske/Chevrolet): 80 laps at 1:46:43.329 (163.440 km/h)
2. Alex Palo (ESP-Ganassi/Honda) 80 laps
3. Will Power (AUS-Penske/Chevrolet) 80
4. Rinus Weike (NED-Carpenter/Chevrolet) 80
5. Scott Dixon (NZL-Ganassi/Honda) 80
6. Marcus Erickson (SWE/Chip Ganassi) 80
7. Joseph Newgarden (USA/Penske) 80
8. Helio Castroneves (BRA/Meyer Shank Racing) 80
9. David Malukas (USA/Dale Coyne Racing) 80
10. Simon Paganaud (FRA-Meyer Shank/Honda) 80
…
24. Pado O’Ward (MEX/Arrow McLaren) retires due to mechanical failure on lap 52
25. Tatiana Calderon (COL/AJ Foyt Enterprises) left in 51
– Overall IndyCar Drivers’ Championship standings (after 9 of 17 races):
1. Marcus Erickson (SUE/Chip Ganassi) 321 points
2. Will Power (AUS/Penske) 301
3. Joseph Newgarden (USA/Penske) 287
4. Alex Palo (ESP/Chip Ganassi) 286
5. Doug O’Ward (MEX/Arrow McLaren) 256
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