McLaughlin currently sits sixth in the title race at 83 points behind Palou (411-328). It is a remarkable comeback after he sat 29th in the championship standings after two rounds following Team Penske’s push-to-pass scandal. The penalty negated his podium finish in the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but the New Zealander has since gone on to claim two wins, five podiums and seven top 10s.
After earning pole with a thrilling qualifying run on Friday, McLaughlin leads the field to the green flag for tonight’s 200-lap race at the 1.25-mile oval in the shadow of The Gateway Arch. Combine that with several rivals ahead of him in points standings having issues in qualifying, including Palou, who will start 16th after a nine-spot grid penalty for an unapproved engine change, there is reason for McLaughlin to believe there is plenty left to play for.
