The Team Penske driver began the one-lap shootout from sixth and wound up finishing third thanks to an enormous tow from racer winner Felix Rosenqvist and runner-up David Malukas.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong, who led the start of the last lap, wound up finishing fifth while McLaren’s Pato O’Ward started and finished fourth.
A slipstream from the cars ahead of him propelled McLaughlin in the final few hundred metres to finish just 0.007s ahead of O’Ward and 0.016s ahead of Armstrong.
“Thought there was going to be a major check up there,” McLaughlin said, replying to a video of his onboard that you can watch below.
“Charged up and let it eat to the line.
“Never give up!”
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The Kiwi was an outright contender throughout the race but ultimately slipped back as the alternate strategy came to the fore, bringing Rosenqvist and O’Ward into the picture.
McLaughlin took to social media to reflect on the day’s race, a year on from failing to start the 2025 edition after he crashed during the warm-up laps.
“Last year’s race made me realise you can never waste an opportunity at this place,” said McLaughlin.
“Coming back with a storyline that no driver really wants to have. I can’t thank my family, friends and especially my team enough for always having my back.
“We didn’t have the fastest car yesterday but we led laps, were amazing on pit road, made no mistakes, shipped it on restarts and took what was given to us.
“My PB (personal best) finish at the 500, starting 10th with four to go, to finish third was a huge comeback.
“Although it’s not we wanted, I learned a ton that hopefully will help me win this race one day.
“If that doesn’t happen, if we execute the way I did yesterday, I’ll be content because we gave it our best shot.”
The IndyCar Series resumes on June 1 with the Detroit Grand Prix.
McLaughlin sits sixth in the standings, 92 points in arrears of series leader Alex Palou for Chip Ganassi Racing.
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