Scott McLaughlin wins with authority at Barber

Like last year, McLaughlin used a three-stop strategy to win, despite a final caution in the final laps. The Penske driver won ahead of his teammate Will Power and rookie Linus Lundqvist, from Chip Ganassi Racing.

Starting from pole position, McLaughlin dominated the first third of the race, until his first pass through the pitlane. A neutralization on lap 44, just before halfway, could have changed everything. Alexander Red (McLaren) having lost a wheel leaving the pits, the race management had no other choice but to bring in the safety car.

For McLaughlin, as for Christian Lundgaard (Rahal Letterman Lanigan) and Will Power, this meant another trip to the pits. A certain deficit against the drivers only wishing to make two stops in this race, including Alex Palou (Ganassi). The Spaniard then found himself in the lead of the event.

But another neutralization on the 55th lap changed the race again! The drivers on two stops then had to return to the pitlane, and above all begin a final XXL stint. A full tank of fuel allowing you to cover around 30 laps, while there were 32 remaining at the restart...

Scott McLaughlin was therefore able to attack hard, build a sufficient advantage before stopping a third time. Despite a spin from Christian Rasmussen five laps from the finish, the New Zealander retained the lead, ahead of Power.

Third, Linus Lundqvist achieved his best result in IndyCar, during his sixth race. The Swede benefited from the yellow flag caused by Sting Ray Robb (Foyt) during the 55th lap. Staying on the track, just like Santino Ferrucci (Foyt), Lundqvist stopped on the 71st lap and then moved up the peloton, until overtaking his teammate Alex Palou for the place on the podium. The other Swede in the peloton, Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank) inserted himself between the two teammates before the finish.

Difficult race for the French

For French drivers, this event at Barber Motorsports Park will certainly not go down in history! Romain Grosjean must settle for 12th position, after having had to switch to the two-stop strategy. Juncos driver Hollinger has been involved in several contacts, notably with his former teammate Kyle Kirkwood.

Theo Pourchaire was out to get a top 20 in his McLaren. But the champion F2 in title was hit by his teammate Pato O'Ward on the last lap. He therefore finished ranked in 23rd position. His teammate finished just ahead of him, after a race to forget. Winner in St. Petersburg, O'Ward was penalized with a drive-through at the start of the race, after contact deemed avoidable with Pietro Fittipaldi (Rahal Letterman Lanigan). The latter then hit the tire wall, forcing him to abandon.

Barber – Ranking

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