Kiwi Scott McLaughlin has picked up his third victory of the 2022 IndyCar season and kept his faint championship hopes alive, taking the chequered flag at the Grand Prix of Portland.
Starting on pole, the Team Penske driver crossed the line ahead of teammate and championship leader Will Power, and moved from sixth to fifth in the championship, trailing by 41 points before the season finale in Monterey.
McLaughlin's victory was so emphatic, he led for 104 of the 110 laps at Portland.
With the 41-point gap between Power and first, and McLaughlin in fifth, it's conceivable that any of the top five drivers could claim the title next week.
Despite his faint championship hopes heading into the last race, McLaughlin refuses to give up hope of victory in his second season racing in the United States.
"We did exactly what we needed to do this weekend," McLaughlin said. "That was win and get max points, and keep ourselves in the fight.
"We're a long shot, I don't care, but we're a shot. I'm looking forward to it."
Power ensured he'll head into the final race of the season as championship favourite, finishing second.
So far in 2022, McLaughlin has claimed three wins, along with two second-placed finishes and two more thirds.
With a lead of nearly four seconds, a pitstop closed the gap between McLaughlin and Power,
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Scott Dixon also kept his title hopes alive. Starting 16th on the grid, the six-time champion finished third and trails Power by 20 points into the season decider.
The 42-year-old powered onto the podium after a late safety car, in an impressive display that did his title chances no harm.
"We're still in the fight," Dixon said. "It was definitely an interesting race.
"A huge weekend here for Penske, two cars. Thankfully we got one on the podium.
"Anything is possible, we've won on tie breakers before. We're in it, and we'll never give up as a team until it's over.
"It's going to be an interesting one. It's pretty tight between three or four cars. Ultimately, if we can be in it, we're going to try everything we can do."
Seeking a title that would equal American legend AJ Foyt's record of seven, Dixon sits third overall, level on points with Josef Newgarden.
