Extreme fortunes for Kiwi drivers
Scott McLaughlin has recorded his second-best finish in the IndyCar Championship since making the shift from Supercars after taking fourth place in Illinois.
The Kiwi driver started 11th on the grid but moved up through the placings, while compatriot Scott Dixon suffered a blow in the defence of his title after crashing out before the midway stage of the race.
The results dropped Dixon down to fourth in the drivers’ championship, 43 points behind leader Pato O’Ward, while McLaughlin remains the leading rookie in 13th.
McLaughlin, pictured, who drives for Team Penske, says he was really happy with his performance. “Kept it clean, played the long game and got rewarded,” he posted on Facebook. “Onwards and upwards but excited to get a result for my hard-working team.”
Josef Newgarden took the chequered flag in the final oval race of the 2021 season at the World Wide Technology Raceway outside St Louis on August 23 (NZ time).
Dixon, who is chasing a seventh title, crashed on lap 65 after his car was hit from the rear by Rinus VeeKay during a restart.
The contact sent Dixon spinning up the track and his Chip Ganassi teammate Alex Palou and VeeKay were caught up in the accident.
After some quick repairs, the New Zealander was able to return to the action but dropped out late in the race in 19th place and 160 laps down.
It was the first time Dixon has failed to finish a race since August 2019, ending a streak of 28 consecutive races running at the finish.
“I feel really bad for myself and Alex,” Dixon said after the race. “I don’t really know what VeeKay was trying to do there and obviously took us both out of the race.”
The next race of the campaign is the Grand Prix of Portland on Spetember 13 (NZT).
Drivers’ championship
1. Pato O’Ward, 435 points
2. Alex Palou, 425pts
3. Josef Newgarden, 413pts
4. Scott Dixon, 392pts
5. Marcus Ericsson, 375pts
Also: 13. Scott McLaughlin, 245pts
