PIT PASS INDY – SEASON 2, EPISODE 36 – Grand Prix of Portland Race Winner Scott McLaughlin, Jimmie Johnson and team Penske engineer Ben Bretzman  

September 6, 2022

Just 41 points separate the top-five heading into Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey. It’s the closest championship battle since the 2003 Indy Racing League championship when 30 points separated the top five. 

Team Penske’s Will Power takes a 20-point lead into the season’s final race after finishing second to this week’s guest on Pit Pass Indy, Scott McLaughlin, in the Grand Prix of Portland on September 4.

McLaughlin won the pole on Saturday and dominated the race on Sunday, leading 104 of the 110 laps in the race and defeating Power by 1.1792 seconds.

McLaughlin took note of the fact that entering Portland 54 points out, he was overlooked in the battle for the title. But with his big win, he moved up to fourth in the standings, 41 points out, although he would need some help to win the championship.

Maximum points available in an INDYCAR race other than the Indianapolis 500 is 50 for the win, one point for the pole, one point for leading a lap and two points for leading the most laps.

Power can clinch his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship Sunday if he finishes third or higher in the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.

This week’s Pit Pass Indy features two interviews with McLaughlin. Other guests include seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson who drives the No. 48 Carvana/American Legion Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Also, McLaughlin’s race engineer, Ben Bretzman, joins us after the big win at Portland.

Bruce Martin and Pit Pass Indy have all the storylines covered in this week’s episode.

For more INDYCAR coverage, follow Bruce Martin at Twitter at @BruceMartin_500