As he hunts down a two-time defending IndyCar champion with an early 60-point cushion, Scott McLaughlin remains confident in his championship chances.

The Andretti Global driver qualified first for Saturday night's race at Iowa Speedway with a 187.655 mph lap. Scott McLaughlin qualified ... it up with my first oval win tonight.

Reigning IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou has received high praise from one of his fiercest on-track rivals, Scott McLaughlin, who hailed Palou as "the whole deal.