After a difficult weekend in Nashville Scott McLaughlin is looking at the positives from the inaugural Music City Grand Prix.
The three-time Supercars championship winner is in his rookie IndyCar Series season, focusing on what he is learning and the improvements he is making.
“Promising day, but unfortunately it turned into a bit of a negative. Our Dex Imaging Chevy looked good and we were coming through the field fast,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin was at the centre of two of the safety car appearances in the chaotic race, neither incident was judged to have been his fault.
The first saw him spun by Ed Jones at turn four though both were able to keep their cars off the wall and continue in the race without losing a lap.
Later, teammate Will Power attempted a pass at turn nine, spinning McLaughlin, leaving him stranded in the middle of the track.
Most of the oncoming cars were able to avoid him, except Dalton Kellet, who swiped the nosecone of McLaughlins Chevrolet, leaving both with damage.
While McLaughlin’s crew were able to get the car repaired and back out on track he had lost 13 laps.
While it wasn’t the ending McLaughlin wanted, it did mean he was able to complete more laps on track and further his learning as a rookie
“I was having a lot of fun passing a few cars and passing people on strategy. But unfortunately I got taken out twice,” said McLaughlin.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s part of it. I’m probably more disappointed for Dex Imaging. It is their first time back on the car since St. Pete. We were having a good run there.
“I learned a lot this weekend.”
“It’s a promising sign for my IndyCar career and I’ll continue to focus on just trying to be better and trying to put myself in better situations so we don’t get caught up in the mess. I learned a lot.”
“I love Nashville, and I can hardly wait to come back next year.”
McLaughlin will be back on track August 13-14 on the Brickyard road course at Indianapolis.
Main image:Chris Jones