Motor racing: Scott McLaughlin third in IndyCar standings as Palou ...

Scott McLaughlin was the leading Penske driver this season. Photo: Richard Dole

New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin has finished third in the 2024 IndyCars championship.

McLaughlin started the final round in Nashville in third place with the possibility of grabbing second in the championship.

However, he could only manage fifth place in the season finale.

Scott McLaughlin is the highest placed New Zealand driver this IndyCars season. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The race was won by American Colton Herta, who finished second overall in the championship behind series winner Spaniard Alex Palou.

Mexico's Pato O'Ward was second in Nashville with American Josef Newgarden third.

It's the third IndyCars series title in four years for Palou, who finished 11th in the season ender and is New Zealander Scott Dixon's Chip Ganassi team-mate.

Third overall is McLaughlin's best finish in Indycars. He was 14th in his first full season in 2021 and fourth last year. McLaughlin is the highest-placed Team Penske driver for the season, overtaking Australian Will Power, who was second in the standings going in to the final race.

Six-time champion Scott Dixon was 17th in the season finale in Nashville and finished sixth overall, while the third New Zealander in IndyCars, Marcus Armstrong, was seventh in the race and 14th overall.

Palou's list of accolades matches many of the all-time greats of IndyCars.

He is the 13th driver in history to earn at least three championships and just the seventh to win three titles in four years; Dario Franchitti was the last - also for Chip Ganassi Racing - when he won three straight from 2009-11.

Palou, 27 years, five months, 14 days, became the second-youngest driver to win three IndyCars series championships. Only Sam Hornish Jr. was younger, being 27 years, two months, eight days when he earned his third title in 2006.