Christian Lundgaard completed tenth at World Huge Expertise Raceway, however the Arrow McLaren driver left feeling extra constructive concerning the crew’s progress on ovals than the outcome would possibly counsel.
The Dane began sixteenth and labored his method into the highest 10 throughout a race disrupted by rain and filled with incidents. Whereas the ultimate place was respectable, Lundgaard was extra inspired by how the automotive carried out all through the night.
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That optimism got here from noticeable enhancements in comparison with Arrow McLaren’s earlier oval outing at Indianapolis. Lundgaard believes the crew made significant positive factors even when the ending outcome didn’t absolutely mirror them.
Photograph by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
Christian Lundgaard believes the outcome didn’t mirror the automotive’s true tempo
Arrow McLaren skilled a combined evening at World Huge Expertise Raceway. Lundgaard tenth, Pato O’Ward got here residence eleventh and Nolan Siegel’s race ended early following an incident.
Regardless of these outcomes, Lundgaard felt way more comfy behind the wheel than he had at Indianapolis. The improved steadiness and confidence allowed him to give attention to the positives somewhat than the ultimate classification.
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“It was a really entertaining race. For as soon as on an oval, I felt like I used to be driving the automotive, which is an enormous step up. I feel we made numerous enhancements from Indy.
“It didn’t actually really feel like a tenth-place-finish automotive; my race felt so much higher than the place the outcome ended up. There are numerous positives from the evening, numerous good learnings, so much to take from right here to our subsequent oval in Nashville.”
Lundgaard’s feedback counsel the race represented a real step ahead for the crew. The boldness gained from the efficiency could in the end show extra vital than a number of further championship factors.
Arrow McLaren hopes the teachings can repay later
The timing of these enhancements might be important for Arrow McLaren. With the second half of the season approaching, each acquire turns into more and more useful within the battle close to the entrance of the championship.
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Lundgaard stays fourth within the standings on 246 factors regardless of ending exterior the highest 5. That place retains him firmly in competition whereas giving the crew a strong platform to construct upon.
The subsequent main oval check will come later within the season. Lundgaard believes the teachings discovered at WWTR can carry ahead and assist Arrow McLaren develop into extra aggressive on comparable circuits.
For now, the crew leaves St. Louis with proof that progress has been made. Lundgaard’s top-10 end could not have generated main headlines, however the info gathered all through the evening might show much more useful within the months forward.
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