McLaughlin wins 2nd straight at Barber, putting happy ending on rough week for Team Penske

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Scott McLaughlin and Team Penske proved they’re a force on the track, no matter what’s going on elsewhere.

McLaughlin won his second straight race at Barber Motorsports Park, giving Team Penske a much-needed triumph on Sunday just days after IndyCar erased Josef Newgarden’s victory and also disqualified McLaughlin from the season opener.

The team went from damage control to celebration, at least temporarily.

“It was a little emotional for sure,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just nice. It was just a nice cap after obviously it was a pretty tough week.”

McLaughlin and Penske’s fuel strategy worked to perfection, with teammate Will Power finishing second — the same order they started in.

McLaughlin’s fifth IndyCar win provided temporary solace after a troubling week for Team Penske, led by series owner Roger Penske. On Wednesday, Newgarden had his season-opening win at St. Petersburg, Florida, stripped for manipulating the push-to-pass function system on his car. McLaughlin, likewise, was disqualified after finishing third.