1-2 for Arrow McLaren at Mid-Ohio, team’s first in INDYCAR SERIES history
After 90 laps of green lap racing, Pato and Christian emerged 1-2 at the checkered flag, scoring the first such finish for McLaren Racing in INDYCAR SERIES history. It also marked the 30th INDYCAR SERIES victory for McLaren Racing, and the 12th for the team since their return to full-time racing in the series in 2020.
Pato pushed the pace and made a pass for the lead on lap 42, holding on to the lead from there. He scored his 10th career victory, joining Johnny Rutherford as the only other driver to reach double-digit wins in team history.
Christian was quick all day, and scored his 14th career podium in P2. Nolan moved forward four positions to pick up a top-10 finish in P10.
The Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team will make quick work in preparing for a test at the Milwaukee Mile on Wednesday, July 8, and then the next race on the calendar with Nasville Superspeedway on July 19.
Pato O’Ward – No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting Position: P2
Finishing Position: P1
Championship Standing: P5, 310 points
“This car has been a real joy to drive all weekend. We had the pace in Qualifying and went out there with a textbook definition of execution. We did an amazing job in the pits, and everyone on the stand along with Team Chevy had a great strategy. First win of the year for me, first podium. Let’s go to Nashville; I think we have some unfinished business there.
Christian Lundgaard – No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting Position: P1
Finishing Position: P2
Championship Standing: P3, 339 points
“That was a very long, very tough race. We were very loose. In these conditions when you’re loose, it makes the car a lot heavier to drive. But I was struggling so hard with the entries on rear, it was a mistake of my own. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how hard the car is to drive, I still think we kind of maximized today. Congrats to the team for a 1-2.”
Nolan Siegel – No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting Position: P14
Finishing Position: P10
Championship Standing: P20, 145 points
“It was a good day today. We moved forward and made the most of it given where we started. Congrats to the team on the 1-2 for the 5 and the 7, the team’s first 1-2. I’m overall satisfied with our day, and am looking forward to some oval racing next.”
Tony Kanaan – Team Principal
“It was an awesome day for the team. Obviously a 1-2 podium for Pato and Christian, which is our team’s first to have two drivers on the top two steps of the podium. It was an overdue win for Pato and a very hard fought drive for Christian. Then you have a big race for Nolan and the 6 car as well to get all three cars in the top ten. That’s what we’ve been working hard on all season long, so for the entire team to have a strong result today, I’m just really proud of them. We’ll keep fighting, keep pushing to get those results the rest of the season. We’ll enjoy it today and get right back to work tomorrow morning to prep for the Milwaukee test Wednesday.