No. 3 Odyssey Battery Dallara/Chevrolet – Scott McLaughlin
Start: 16th
Finish: 16th
Point Standings: 5th (-41 pts)
Race Rundown: On a day that featured unforeseen drama with tire selection, Scott McLaughlin and the No. 3 Odyssey Battery Chevrolet team finished 16th in the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on Saturday afternoon. Starting the 85-lap race from the 16th position, McLaughlin, race strategist Kyle Moyer and lead engineer Ben Bretzman elected to start on the softer, alternate Firestone tires. The alternate tires have historically been the preferred tire in this race, but the 2023 edition would prove otherwise as the primary tires turned out the be the optimal choice. On the opening lap of the race, McLaughlin received front wing damage that resulted in a trip to pit road for repairs. While that put the Odyssey Battery team a bit off strategy, McLaughlin found himself in position for a top 10 finish. Unfortunately, on the white-flag lap, the fuel light came on in the No. 3 cockpit, forcing McLaughlin to pit for one gallon of fuel to make it to the end. After returning to the track, the New Zealander would cross the finish line in the 16th position.
McLaughlin’s Thoughts: “Obviously a little frustrated at how we qualified with the Odyssey Battery Chevrolet. After practice I thought we should challenge for the Firestone Fast Six. Then, after warmup, I thought we were better and starting on the red tires would give us a chance to make up a few positions over the start of the race. The first corner of this race is always a bit chaotic, and it caught us today with some front wing damage that we had to come in and repair. Immediately that changes our strategy, but we fought back and looked to be in a position for a top 10, which would have been acceptable considering. We’ll have to go back and look at why we got so low on fuel. Luckily the light came on in time for me to hit pit road and take on one gallon to make it to the end. Frustrating but we need to forget this result and focus on the 500.”