The three-time Supercars champion won last year’s rookie of the year award, managing a best finish of second at last year’s opening Texas race, but tended to struggle more on the street venues and failed to crack the top 10.
On the streets of St. Petersburg – the one IndyCar track he had raced on twice before entering the weekend, having started the finale in 2020 – he topped second practice, took pole and led 49 of the 100 laps on his way to his first victory in the series.
McLaughlin said that he was aiming for a top-seven finish prior to his pole position, feeling that his Chevrolet-powered car was quick out of the box after arriving in Florida.
“You back yourself, but in our pre-event we said top seven,” said McLaughlin.
“Obviously the goal was changed [after taking pole], but it was just phenomenal the way the car rolled out of the truck.
“I felt like I could really do what I wanted to do with the car from the get-go.
“What that does for confidence as a race driver is…
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