At the end of Sunday’s latest round of IndyCar racing, it was hard to tell who was happier - Scott Dixon with his 51st career win or Scott McLaughlin with his maiden Indycar podium.
"I've never been this bloody happy second," declared the reigning Aussie Supercars champion, after his first-ever oval-track race.
McLaughlin was quick to thank his No.1 fans straight after the race.
"Great job everybody, awesome day," he told his team. "Mum and Dad listening on the radio at home, love you guys."
Both Wayne and Diane McLaughlin certainly were listening in from Cambridge, and quick to celebrate their son's success.
"We thought top 15 for the year, maybe top 12, but to see him with the pace that he's got and end up on the podium today was unbelievable," says Wayne. "Mindblowing."
While Dixon led for 210 of the 212-lap race, McLaughlin had to work his way up through the field. Starting in 15th, he found himself second with 44 laps remaining and suddenly pushing his Kiwi compatriot for the win.
"Very tense there at the end and it was kind of cool to be racing a countryman those last final laps," reflected Dixon.
Said McLaughlin: "It was bloody cool battling with my all-time hero Scotty Dixon, and Kiwis one and two is bloody fantastic."
Back home, the champagne and tears flowed.
"The emotions are running extremely high," says Wayne McLaughlin.
The podium lifts McLaughlin to sixth in the championship standings, with Dixon first.
The reigning champion will start on pole for Monday’s second race at Fort Worth, Texas, and if he wins that, he'll be second equal with Mario Andretti for most race wins in IndyCar history.
"I never dreamed of that," Dixon said. "Man, I feel so lucky and so privileged to do what I do."
After a historic day for Kiwi motorsport, both drivers are now gunning for follow-up success.
Join us at 9am Monday for live updates of the second IndyCar race from Fort Worth
