McLaughlin takes record Indy 500 pole in Penske clean sweep

Scott McLaughlin will lead the field for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 following the Kiwi’s record run to pole in Sunday’s top-sex shootout at the Speedway.

McLaughlin was the last of the runners to hit the track late on Sunday, the Team Penske charger setting a blistering 234.220 mph average that equated to the fastest pace ever recorded in the history of Indy’s four-lap average qualifying format.

The outstanding performance delivered a milestone clean sweep to Roger Penske’s team, with Will Power and Josef Newgarden completing the first Team Penske front row lockout of the Indy 500 grid since 1988.

Coincidently or perhaps not, McLauglin’s #3 Team Penske entry is sporting the same ‘yellow submarine’ Pennzoil livery that graced the car of poleman Rick Mears in 1988.

“Welcome to the party,” McLaughlin said after his impressive run.

“The Pennzoil Chevy was unreal. There’s so much pride in being able to do it. I’m working hard. Indy hasn’t been kind to me, and a lot of it was my doing. I need to work on things. This is the first step.

“The Thirsty 3’s, baby, we’re coming.”