McLaughlin just misses season-ending Indycar victory 

Seeking his first win of the season, McLaughlin was leading the season finale after overtaking Alex Palou on lap 200.

But on lap 205, the Kiwi lost control of his #3 Chevy and brushed the wall. He was unable to challenge for victory after the race restart, ending in third behind teammate Josef Newgarden and series champ Alex Palou. It was Newgarden’s only victory for the year.

McLaughlin said afterwards: “Bitter-sweet right, great for the team, well done to Josef, but I wish it could have been me”.

Newgarden not only salvaged a lone win for the year but it was at Nashville Superspeedway, his home track.

After the win, he climbed through a hole in the fence, entered the grandstands, and raised his arms in front of a friends and family.

“I am just glad we got one without anything going wrong,” Newgarden said after the race. 

“Been a tough, tough year and good to get a win here at the end.”

Meanwhile, Palou (below) finished second. He had already clinched his fourth IndyCar title with two races remaining. So he undertook some celebratory circle work on the infield grass.

Newgarden capitalised on issues for a multitude of drivers and took the lead with 21 laps remaining when teammate McLaughlin made a mistake. He has had only two podium finishes in 16 races this year. However, he ended the season with four top-five finishes. And he wound up 12th overall in the season standings.

Pato O’Ward started from pole and seemed headed toward a third victory until a tire failure took him out. He had already placed second in the championship standings.

Third overall n the championship was Kiwi Scott Dixon. He finished twelfth in the race, ahead of compatriot Marcus Armstrong in P19.