McLaughlin pips Dixon for third in Iowa

Scott McLaughlin has finished on the podium in this mornings IndyCar race in Iowa, with fellow Kiwi Scott Dixon one place behind in fourth. Patricio O’Ward claimed line honours in the event, ahead of Australian Will Power in the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300.

It was a marked improvement for McLaughlin after his 22nd place in yesterdays event, after a wheel failure relegated him to the rear of the field. Dixon, however, remained consistent with his fourth place today backing up a fifth place yesterday.

Josef Newgarden looked on track to score a solid result and was leading when a tyre failure on Lap 235 saw him spin hard into the wall, gifting O’Ward the lead ahead of Power and Dixon following the restart. McLaughlin went about passing Dixon and did so almost immediately on the Lap 250 restart to run third.

That running order was how things finished up front, with O’Ward claiming his second win of the season. Second place for Power sees him move within eight points of the outright championship lead.

Dixon and McLaughlin both closed in on championship leader Marcus Ericsson, who finished sixth. Dixon now sits in fourth place, tied on points with Newgarden, trailing Ericsson by only 34 points. McLaughlin sits down in sixth place, a further 52 points back.