Scott McLaughlin cemented his status as an Australasian fan favourite – while endearing himself to America – with a hilarious and touching series of events following his breakthrough IndyCar win in Florida this morning (AEDT).
The three-time Supercars champion, who switched to IndyCar with limited success last season, won from pole position at St. Petersburg before tumbling off his winning car during the celebration.
“No s—, I jumped and my legs were jelly bro,” the sheepish 28-year-old from New Zealand said.
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“I couldn’t believe it, my legs just wouldn’t move. And when I hit the ground, I was done. I was trying to make it as delicate as I could, and I just looked like a wombat out there.”
Out of breath under a clear sky, he sat on the car to collect himself.
Then he jumped again, this time because the heat from his exhaust was burning his behind through his firesuit.
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“My butt is getting burnt. Oh, that hurt, on the exhaust,” McLaughlin said.
“Oh my God, I’m just — love you Australia, New Zealand, miss you guys.
“Thinking of everyone in the Queensland floods at the moment. But oh, I can’t believe it.”
Then he sat on the ground to video call his parents in New Zealand, who listened to the race on the IndyCar app.
The pandemic has kept McLaughlin from his family for two years and they’ve yet to see him race in his new home and new series.
It was quite the day for McLaughlin, who at last justified his decision to leave Australia after a difficult first year.
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He called for a cold beer, but when McLaughlin noticed Australian fans in victory lane, he amped up the party.
McLaughlin took off his racing boot and dumped the beer inside for a ‘shoey.’
The move ruined his favourite footwear.
Now McLaughlin will have to see how far his first victory takes him.
The winner of IndyCar’s season opener has gone on to claim the championship the last three years.
“Oh, mate, I don’t know. Let’s keep it low key,” McLaughlin said about his title chances.
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“Let’s be the underdog for a little while longer.”
McLaughlin made his IndyCar debut at St. Petersburg in the 2020 season finale and declared the experience “far out!” and “the best day of my life apart from my wedding,” even after a crash caused his early exit.
In his third trip back, he made qualifying his priority and was rewarded with his first career pole.
He led 49 of the 100 laps but had to hold off reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou over the closing laps to secure the victory, with Aussie Will Power third.
McLaughlin thanked team owner Roger Penske for continuing to believe in him during a difficult rookie season.
“I knew I’m a rookie and I wasn’t kidding myself, but at the same time it’s hard to go from the mindset of, ‘OK, win every week and that’s all that matters, nothing less,’ to going, ‘Hey, I’d love a top-15,'” McLaughlin said.
“I don’t work like that. I’m a competitive bloke. I want to win. I want to get poles. I want to dominate races and not even worry about things. I did that for four years, and then coming here… it just mucks with your head, and you’ve got to be realistic about things.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, like, ‘Why isn’t this happening? Why am I sucking in qualifying when I’m good?’ I’ve done that before, I’ve proved that. It’s a mind game, man, and you’ve got to be on top of it. You’ve got to just believe in yourself.
“The trust he put in me is a very proud moment.”