Driver McLaughlin wins virtual IndyCar racing event

Scott McLaughlin’s real IndyCar debut is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Australian V8 SuperCars champion isn’t letting that stop him from learning how to virtually drive the cars.

McLaughlin won IndyCar’s virtual race from virtual Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, the second race in the series’ attempt to create content during the worldwide shutdown of sports.

McLaughlin drives for Roger Penske in Australia, and the team owner had planned to give McLaughlin his series debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That was scrapped when the IndyCar season was suspended last month. The race has been rescheduled for July 4, a date Penske said would be too hectic for McLaughlin to make his debut.

McLaughlin, like NASCAR’s seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, was an invited guest by IndyCar to participate in the iRacing Series meant to entertain fans during the stoppage. He had to wake up at 2 a.m. in Brisbane, Australia, to compete on his simulator. “I started iRacing 10 years ago and it was the best thing I did,” McLaughlin said. “For an aspiring race car driver, it is worth the investment in your future. It’s been an awesome tool for me and it’s great fun.”

McLaughlin said his rig was not as flashy as some of the big simulators used by the stars. It was 6 a.m. at McLaughlin’s house when he virtually crossed the finish line. “You know, esports has really been on the rise the last few years, and it’s really taken off during this pandemic,” McLaughlin said.

He beat Team Penske driver Will Power, a fellow Australian who was racing from his home in North Carolina, Scott Speed and IndyCar rookie Alex Palou, racing on a simulator in Spain.

NBC Sports aired the race on its cable channel with its usual broadcast crew of Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy all calling action from their respective homes.