McLaughlin scores another top 10 in chaotic IndyCar race
Scott McLaughlin has backed up his maiden IndyCar podium with another top 10 finish at Texas Motor Speedway.
The three-time Supercars champion, who finished second behind countryman Scott Dixon on Sunday AEST, finished eighth in the XPEL 375.
The race, which was won by Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward, featured a six-car shunt which eliminated some series hopefuls.
WATCH: MOST-WATCHED MCLAUGHLIN MOMENTS
It marked O’Ward’s maiden IndyCar win, with the Mexican driver passing McLaughlin’s Team Penske teammate and two-time series champion Josef Newgarden with 24 laps remaining in the 248-lap race.
Dixon kept the series points lead, with O’Ward jumping to second in the standings, 22 points behind.
McLaughlin heads to the GMR Grand Prix, which will be held on May 15, ninth in the standings, 54 points down on Dixon.
The early-race crash Pic: IndyCar Media
There were nine leaders and 12 lead changes in the race, which was headlined by the accident before the contest began in anger.
The field compressed approaching the green flag at the start-finish line after Pietro Fittipaldi hit the rear of Sebastien Bourdais.
Contact between Conor Daly and James Hinchcliffe saw the former’s car turn over; Daly’s car slid down the track before turning right-side-up when it reached the infield grass.
Wrecked cars strewn across the track
As the race wore on, the contest shifted from a fuel strategy race to an all-out speed battle.
Newgarden was one to beat late on, despite trailing two-time and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato in the effort to save fuel.
O’Ward joined the party, and overtook Newgarden on lap 225, pulling away for victory.
O'Ward celebrates victory Pic: IndyCar Media<
McLaughlin, who started seventh, finished 12 seconds off the win in eighth.
The 56-time Supercars race winner was the third Penske car home in the top 10, behind 2016 champion Simon Pagenaud in sixth.
The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend the OTR SuperSprint across May 7-9. Tickets are on sale now.
The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo with highlights on 7 and 7 Plus.
