PORTLAND, Ore. — Scott McLaughlin led a Crew Penske rout at Portland Worldwide Raceway by scoring his third victory of the season in a 1-2 end that moved Will Energy one race nearer to the IndyCar championship.

McLaughlin led 104 of the 110 laps Sunday to select up his third victory of the season. He trails solely Penske teammate Josef Newgarden (5) in most collection wins, however an inconsistent season has the New Zealander clinging to any title possibilities.

McLaughlin goes to subsequent Sunday’s season finale at Laguna Seca in California ranked fifth within the standings, 41 factors behind Energy however nonetheless mathematically within the hunt.

“We did precisely what we wanted to do that weekend, which was win and get most factors,” McLaughlin mentioned. “We have to hold ourselves in it and we’re an extended shot, however we have a shot.”

Both approach, IndyCar goes to its finale locked within the tightest championship battle in 19 years. The 41 factors that separate McLaughlin in fifth to chief Energy is the closest since 30 factors separated the highest 5 in 2003, when the collection was nonetheless referred to as the Indy Racing League.

Energy had a comparatively straightforward drive however by no means sufficient to problem McLaughlin for the win. In settling for second, he takes a 20-point lead into the finale over each Newgarden and six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon.

“We’re in the most effective place, we have the most effective shot, we’ll do the most effective we will,” Energy mentioned.

Dixon completed third however gained no floor within the title struggle; Newgarden dropped from fourth on the restart with 22 laps remaining to complete eighth and lose 17 factors to Energy within the Penske championship battle.

“We’re nonetheless within the struggle,” mentioned Dixon, who began sixteenth. “We have to cease getting these most improved of the race awards.”

Newgarden lamented his late tire selection, which left him a sitting duck over the ultimate stint.

“At this level, it simply form of is what it’s. I’ll go attempt to win that race and go for broke,” Newgarden mentioned. “I do not understand how Laguna goes to play, however we’ll go to play and see what occurs.”

The three Penske entries have been the category of the sector in Portland, the place the workforce used its closing take a look at of the season to arrange for Sunday. The trio was quick in each session and had a transparent benefit over Chip Ganassi Racing, which selected to make use of its closing take a look at at Laguna Seca in anticipation of the finale.

Ganassi had Dixon, Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson and reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou within the title hunt, however solely Palou had a good qualifying effort. Dixon and Ericsson did not advance out of the primary qualifying group, and Ericsson rallied solely to eleventh. The Swede is 39 factors behind Energy, fourth within the standings.

Though Palou completed twelfth and Pato O’Ward was fourth, each have been eradicated from title competition.

“Did not have sufficient for the Penske boys. They dominated everybody, not simply us,” O’Ward mentioned.

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IndyCar settles its championship with subsequent Sunday’s finale at Laguna Seca Raceway in California. Colton Herta is the two-time defending race winner.