Race recap: Scott McLaughlin defends Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix title
A lot has happened within IndyCar in the last week.
On Wednesday, Team Penske's Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin were disqualified from their season-opening podium finishes at St. Petersburg. The move was made after IndyCar officials deemed the team to have violated rules around the use of its push-to-pass system.
Tim Cindric, the president of Team Penske, said it was an accident. An investigation by IndyCar found no software violations by Team Penske before 2024.
But the IndyCar paddock isn't happy.
“The statement that Cindric put out is a bold-faced lie, and everyone knows that,” said one team owner.
A week after IndyCar's Long Beach race, we're back at it again. Today the Children's of Alabama IndyCar Grand Prix takes place in Leeds. Who won last year's race at Barber Motorsports Park you ask? Scott McLaughlin.
On Saturday, McLaughlin captured pole position.
Nathan Brown is your best IndyCar follow. Please remember to refresh.
‘Roger’s got to clean his house up’: IndyCar owners meet with Roger Penske over scandal
Checkered flag: Scott McLaughlin defends his title at Barber
Scott McLaughlin wins at Barber Motorsports Park after winning the race last year.
Will Power was second, Linus Lundqvist was third, Felix Rosenqvist was fourth and Alex Palou was fifth. Lundqvist, a rookie, earned his first podium.
Scott McLaughlin defends his win from Barber & Will Power locks out the top-2 in a resoundingly great on-track day for Team Penske after a tumultuous week.
— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) April 28, 2024
Lap 88: Caution comes out after Christian Rasmussen spins out
Scott McLaughlin has looked dominant for most of the day. He still leads Will Power.
On Lap 85, a yellow flag came out when Christian Rasmussen spun out after he lost control on his own.
Christian Rasmussen spins!
INSIDE FIVE TO GO.
📺 : NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/kqQRAKPAlP— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 28, 2024
Caution with 5 to go: Rasmussen stopped after losing control by himself in Turn 13.
Not sure this is enough to impact the finish (in terms of helping the fuel-savers) but we'll likely still get a restart before the checkered.— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) April 28, 2024
Lap 74: Scott McLaughlin leads at Barber
Scott McLaughlin is in the lead by more than 2 seconds. Will Power is in second.
Lap 52: A mannequin falls onto the track
During Lap 52, a mannequin fell from a bridge. The announcer said its name is Georgina. Ok then.
There's a mannequin that hangs from the bridge at Barber Motorsports Park.
This year, it fell.
📺 : #INDYCAR | NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/u41clxZC1x— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 28, 2024
Lap 46: Alexander Rossi loses tire
Alexander Rossi's left rear tire was not properly secured during a pit stop. It flew straight off during Lap 44. The caution flag is out.
There goes the WHEEL! 😬
The weekend struggles continue for @AlexanderRossi and the No. 7 team.
📺: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/bnetu0QuLu— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 28, 2024
Lap 40: Scott McLaughlin leads the way
Scott McLaughlin regained the lead after Santino Ferrucci pitted during Lap 36. Christian Lundgaard is in second and is 7 seconds behind McLaughlin.
Will Power is in third, Alex Palou is in fourth and Alexander Rossi is in fifth.
Lap 33: Santino Ferrucci holds slim lead over Scott McLaughlin
Christian Lundgaard pitted during Lap 25 while he was in second. Scott McLaughlin leads Will Power by nearly 8 seconds.
Power pitted during Lap 28. Scott McLaughlin went into the pits as well. On Lap 31, Alex Palou pitted.
Scott Dixon spun around and he is now in 21st. There's been a lot of contact today. Speaking of which, Josef Newgarden got hit by Marcus Armstrong and went off the track for a moment. Newgarden is in 15th.
Santino Ferrucci leads McLaughlin by less than a second.
Josef Newgarden's OFF!
📺 : NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/4L7TMpmDUD— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 28, 2024
Big spin for the points leader, @scottdixon9! 🫣
📺: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/kFYUaw8EHY— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 28, 2024
Lap 17: Pato O'Ward issued penalty
Pato O'Ward currently sits in 26th after starting the race in fourth. He was issued a drive-through penalty by race control following the incident with Pietro Fittipaldi, who is out of the race. According to IndyCar, Fittipaldi has been seen and released.
UPDATE: The No. 5 has been issued a drive-through penalty by race control following the incident with the No. 30.
📺: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Y6O4dLMRyw— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 28, 2024
Lap 6: Pato O'Ward drops to start the race
Pato O'Ward began the race in the fourth position but currently sits at 19th after spinning out. Scott McLaughlin continues to lead.
A yellow flag came out for Pietro Fittipaldi backing it into the tires.
Around goes the No. 5!
Early trouble for @PatricioOWard, who goes spinning into the gravel.
📺: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/rH4w5WigRq— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 28, 2024
When is the IndyCar race this weekend?
The green flag is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Leeds, Alabama.
What channel is the IndyCar race on?
TV: NBC
Radio: IndyCar Radio
Streaming: Peacock, SiriusXM Channel 218
IndyCar qualifying results from Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama
Scott McLaughlin
Will Power
Christian Lundgaard
Pato O'Ward
Felix Rosenqvist
Marcus Armstrong
Graham Rahal
Josef Newgarden
Kyle Kirkwood
Alex Palou
Romain Grosjean
Tom Blomqvist
Scott Dixon
Christian Rasmussen
Colton Herta
Alexander Rossi
Santino Ferrucci
Marcus Ericsson
Linus Lundqvist
Agustin Canapino
Luca Ghiotto
Jack Harvey
Kyffin Simpson
Theo Pourchaire
Sting Ray Robb
Pietro Fittipaldi
Rinus VeeKay
IndyCar news
What to know: IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park start time, TV, streaming, qualifying
Explanation on DQ: Penske's Josef Newgarden knows explanation for push to pass violation isn't believable
'You think we're all stupid?': IndyCar reacts to Team Penske's rules violations
Disqualification: IndyCar disqualifies Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin from St. Pete podium finishes
'So many questions': IndyCar fans confused after Team Penske got disqualified at St. Pete
Filling in: Theo Pourchaire to continue fill-in role for David Malukas at Barber
Stem cell shots and sim rigs: Why David Malukas' future with Arrow McLaren is unclear
2024 IndyCar schedule
Date, time | Location | TV/winner |
March 10 | St. Petersburg, Fla.% | |
March 24 | Thermal, Calif.*# | |
April 21 | Long Beach, Calif.% | |
April 28, 1 p.m. | Leeds, Ala.# | NBC |
May 11, 3 p.m. | Indianapolis# | NBC |
May 26, 11 a.m. | Indianapolis@ | NBC |
June 2, noon | Detroit% | USA |
June 9, 3:30 p.m. | Elkhart Lake, Wis.# | NBC |
June 23, 6 p.m. | Monterey, Calif.# | USA |
July 7, 1:30 p.m. | Lexington, Ohio# | NBC |
July 13, 8 p.m. | Newton, Iowa@ | NBC |
July 14, noon | Newton, Iowa@ | NBC |
July 21, 1 p.m. | Toronto% | Peacock |
Aug. 17, 6 p.m. | Gateway, Ill.@ | USA |
Aug. 25, 3 p.m. | Portland# | USA |
Aug. 31, 6 p.m. | Milwaukee@ | Peacock |
Sept. 1, 2:30 p.m. | Milwaukee@ | USA |
Sept. 15, 3 p.m. | Nashville@ | NBC |
*-Race doesn't count toward season points championship; %-downtown street course; #-road course; @-oval
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Scott McLaughlin wins IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park race
