'Sorry babe': Scott McLaughlin's brilliant post-race message to wife
Scott McLaughlin has stunned the US after finishing on the podium in his debut oval race in his first IndyCar season.
The 27-year-old New Zealander finished 0.2646 seconds behind countryman Scott Dixon in a thrilling race, which marked the first oval race of the season.
'OUT OF THIS WORLD': Aussie rider ends five-year MotoGP drought
'IT BREAKS YOU': Daniel Ricciardo's heartache after F1 disaster
McLaughlin said it was amazing battling it out with a hero of his for first and second spot in Texas.
"I've never been so bloody happy for second," McLaughlin said.
"It was bloody cool battling my all-time favourite hero.
"Two Kiwis one and two is fantastic. My mum and dad is watching at home for sure."
The New Zealander passed on a hilarious message, which his wife told him before the race.
"Unfortunately, my wife said if I go good this weekend she will give me a slap across my face," he said.
"Well, I went good, sorry babe. That's how it is."
But how about Scott McLaughlin! P2 in his first ever #IndyCar oval start.
— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) May 2, 2021
Scott McLaughlin has sensationally finished in second place in his first oval race in IndyCar at Texas Motor Speedway, behind fellow New Zealander Scott Dixon. #IndyCar #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/z0zE7HBfLQ
— SupercarXtra Magazine (@SupercarXtra) May 2, 2021
Incredible result for Scott McLaughlin!!! 2nd in his first oval race in Indycar at Texas! What an amazing talent he is! 🏁 #INDYCAR
— Brian Van De Wakker (@brianwakker22) May 2, 2021
McLaughlin also lauded the work done behind the scene to get him to where he was today.
"We've done the work, I've worked really hard behind the scenes to make it feel good...we'll get a win one day," he added.
Dixon praises McLaughlin
The 40-year-old New Zealander maintained his lead despite the fast-charging McLaughlin.
"Who doesn't love Texas. I love this place," defending series champion Dixon said.
"I was looking down, and looking in the mirror. He was fast."
Dixon moved within one of matching Mario Andretti's 52 victories for the second-most on the career list that A.J. Foyt tops with 67.
Dixon has now won a race in 19 different seasons, breaking a tie with Foyt for the most. Dixon last year won his sixth season title, one short of Foyt's record seven.
Pato O'Ward finished third, with Palou fourth ahead of Graham Rahal and Josef Newgaden.
Australian Will Power, McLaughlin's fellow Team Penske driver, was as high as third but fell to a disappointing 14th.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
