For Scott McLaughlin’s parents, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it an agonising wait to see their son race in the United States.
In the end, their patience was rewarded.
Just a few weeks after arriving from New Zealand, the 29-year-old stood atop the IndyCar Series podium for the second time this season after another sterling defensive drive.
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The Team Penske pilot largely controlled proceedings at Mid-Ohio, although Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou took the race for victory right to the chequered flag.
It’s been a topsy turvy few weeks for the McLaughlin family, who made the voyage across the Pacific for the Indianapolis 500 only to see their son spectacularly crash out.
Belle Isle and Road America were, by comparison, low-key events for McLaughlin.
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However, he came good with a dominant display similar to his Supercars days at Mid-Ohio.
“It’s awesome,” said McLaughlin of the win in front of his family.
“It’s not just to be together but just to win with them here. That’s the coolest thing. Even in Australia, I didn’t really win with them a lot. It’s been a while… I think the last win I had was the Bathurst 1000 in 2019 with them in town.
“I’m really excited to have them here, and it just means so much. They’re the people that shaped me as a person, and to have them here with me and my wife in Charlotte and just hanging out, it’s been a cool couple months.
“I’m probably giving them a few more grey hairs, but that’s part of the development of everything, and I’m really proud to win in front of them.”
McLaughlin’s dad Wayne is known to get up and about when his son is headed for victory.
In 2020, the Kiwi posted a video of his “number one” fan yelling at the television that went viral.
McLaughlin’s dad cut a much more composed figure from the sidelines at Mid-Ohio, only flinching when the chequered flag flew as he and Diane embraced.
“I try and zone him out,” said McLaughlin.
https://twitter.com/smclaughlin93/status/1277142549635850241
“He’s like a butterfly. He might fly, he might not. He just chills out and does his thing. That was probably the worst analogy for my old man, but look, he’s just who he is. I’m very proud of him to be my dad.”
That’s not to say dad doesn’t pile on the pressure from time to time. Though that’s always how it’s been, ever since a young age.
“Every time I roll out to qualify he goes, ‘Pole is acceptable’,” McLaughlin joked.
“He can say that all he wants, but there’s always a bit of pressure with mum and dad.
“No, they ask a lot of me, not only as an athlete but as a person.
“I put down a lot to how I’ve been brought up because of them and how hard they were on me, and to accept defeat, to accept adversity, to accept victory in the right ways.
“It’s just amazing just this journey doing it together.”
With the season just past halfway, McLaughlin occupies seventh in the standings.
He and teammate Josef Newgarden, who sits third overall, are the only drivers to have more than one win this year.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Ericsson leads the points over Team Penske’s Will Power.
McLaughlin will continue his season on July 18 (AEST) for the Honda Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place.
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