• Latest
  • Trending

McLaughlin on pole in Portland as rivals falter

September 4, 2022

Trackhouse Stand Firm: SVG’s NASCAR growth just getting started

July 8, 2025

Auckland Arena proposal scrapped, but Speedway’s future at Western Springs remains unclear

July 8, 2025

Zeltwanger shows his racing prowess at Manfeild

July 8, 2025

Zack Scoular keeps pushing forward in Eurocup-3 campaign

July 8, 2025

Callum Hedge keeps consistency rolling with another Top-6 finish

July 8, 2025

Elite MotorSport Academy underway for 2025

July 7, 2025
FIA F3 Championship

Sharp’s sensational Silverstone charge blunted by sudden downpour sending him aquaplaning off track

July 7, 2025

Dixon takes record-extending win at Mid-Ohio after rare mistake by Palou 

July 7, 2025

SVG Reigns Again: Shane van Gisbergen wins Chicago NASCAR Cup Race to complete historic weekend sweep

July 7, 2025

Norris triumphs in chaotic British Grand Prix as McLaren secures historic 1-2 finish, Lawson DNF in lap 1 incident

July 7, 2025

Motorsport mourns the loss of Tim Miles after tragic accident

July 6, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
VelocityNews
Subscribe
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

McLaughlin on pole in Portland as rivals falter

by Matthew Sampson
September 4, 2022
in IndyCar
0

Team Penske dominated todays IndyCar qualifying at the Grand Prix of Portland, claiming the top three qualifying times for tomorrow’s race. Kiwi Scott McLaughlin will lead the field into the infamous Turn 1 at the Portland International Raceway, a corner which has gained notoriety amongst the competitors.

McLaughlin, starting on pole for the third time this year, will be alongside championship leader Will Power. Power, who was out qualified by teammate Josef Newgarden, benefits from an engine change to the American’s car which sees him drop six places down the grid to start eighth.

“Credit to everyone at Team Penske,” McLaughlin told NBC Sports’ Kevin Lee following the session.

“We weren’t great here last year but we’ve come back here with three hot rods. We’re all pushing each other, Will, Josef and myself. To get pole is obviously a great thing. The Chevy power is great. I’m looking forward to the race.

“We know that when we get employed what we need to do,” said McLaughlin.

“When the team wins, we all win. For me, I’ve just got to focus on what I’m doing. If I can be at the front and take points off others by winning the race, that’s exactly what we want to do.

“Until I’m mathematically out of it, I want to keep going hard and keep trying to win races. I’m feeling really good in the car. We’re building on to really good things for next year. I’m really proud of this group. These guys and these gals work very hard and I’m very proud of them. It’s a really big testament to them.”

All three Penske drivers are a part of ‘The Championship Seven’, a lead group of seven drivers still mathematically in with a good chance to claim the IndyCar title after the final two races.

Alex Palou of CGR starts on the second row of the grid, currently sitting one spot above McLaughlin in the standings in fifth.

Pato O’Ward will start on the third row, however trails leader Power by 58 points heading into the event and will need to finish ahead of the Australian to remain in contention.

Fellow New Zealand driver Scott Dixon, who sits third in the standing and only 14 points behind Power, struggled on pace in the event and will start back in 16th. Behind him is Marcus Ericsson, the fourth best driver this year, starting in 18th.

Dixon will need a solid outing in Portland to ensure he remains in the championship hunt, but has often fought through the field this season to finish near the front. Portland, however, is a different beast.

The track known for having a difficulty in overtaking, meaning the hopes of ‘The Championship Seven’ may lay on the misfortune of others. A wide, sharp and inviting Turn 1 chicane has often been the cause incidents in past.

Drivers at the front of the field expressed their concerns at the field coming up behind them come Turn 1, with Newgarden and Power among those to express concern.

“It’s definitely the most unpredictable” turn in IndyCar, Newgarden said to NBC Sports.

“When it goes according to plan, it’s fine. More times than not, that doesn’t happen.”

Power shared a similar sentiment, stating Turn 1 is “the worst first corner in the whole series. You’re at the mercy of all the guys behind you and just hoping they do the right thing.

“Yeah, such a bad corner. Such an inviting, wide corner. Not ideal for the second-to-last race of the season,” he said to NBC Sports.

Racing gets underway at 7am tomorrow and will be shown live on Sky Sport 5.

Header Photo: IndyCar.com

Tags: IndyCarPortland Grand PrixScott DixonScott McLaughlin

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.