Scott McLaughlin of New Zealand kicked off the 2022 IndyCar Series by earning his first career title at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.
McLaughlin eked out a half-second win over Alex Palou of Spain, the defending series champion. Palou officially finished 0.5095 seconds behind after pressuring McLaughlin on laps 98 and 99.
“Oh, man, it was crazy,” said McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet. “Really struggled those last couple laps just to keep my head and then save the fuel and all that sort of stuff.
“But we did it. Chevy gave us the fuel mileage. … Oh, my God, I’m just — love you Australia, New Zealand, miss you guys.”
McLaughlin led 49 laps, most of any driver. Scott Dixon led 26 but surrendered a late lead to McLaughlin when forced to pit on lap 80.
Will Power of Australia took third place 2.4671 seconds behind McLaughlin. Colton Herta and France’s Romain Grosjean rounded out the top five.
Dixon wound up eighth. NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, who joined IndyCar full-time this season, finished the race 23rd of 26 drivers.
–Field Level Media