Scott McLaughlin has made it clear he believes his future is in North America, after winning the chaotic finale to the IndyCar's iRacing series.
Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The two-time defending Supercars champion has entered victory lane at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after jumping from fifth to first on the final lap of the simulation race.
"I was literally just trying to hope there was a wreck at the end and there were two so we were in the right place at the right time," McLaughlin said.
"I did my best Steven Bradbury impression - won it from nowhere."
Bradbury won gold in the 1,000m short track speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics after all of his opponents were involved in a last corner pile-up.
While McLaughlin's Indianapolis win had a similar slice of luck, the New Zealander showcased his talent in sim racing throughout the virtual series, finishing in the top five in all but one of the races, including a victory in the second event held at Alabama.
"To be able to put my name up with some of these guys is really cool, but I've got to be realistic about a few things.
"It's a game and there are reset buttons and I can't do that in real life."
"Could only imagine what Indianapolis is like in real life but that dream will have to hold for a little bit."
It's a dream McLaughlin, 26, wants to make a reality.
"I've grown up idolising Scotty Dixon and know what that race has been about for a long, long time from a New Zealand perspective.
"I'm really privileged to race on it in virtual reality, but really excited to hopefully get a chance one day in real life.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was a little boy to potentially race at Indy and obviously everyone wants to drink the milk, because that means you've won."
And he hopes he will race at Indianapolis with Team Penske, which as well as owning his Supercars team is the premier outfit in North American motorsport.
"I'm interested in being the best driver I possibly can in the future to be a part of the IndyCar championship.
"I've always wanted to have a crack in America and thankfully I've been with the right team in Australia and for the opportunity to make it happen.
"I trust the process of what those guys have got for me and what they're doing. I'll just trust what they're doing and where they're going to put me."
McLaughlin is expected to see out the Supercars season, but tested an IndyCar earlier this year and was scheduled to make his debut in the category at this month's Indy GP, before the coronavirus pandemic halted world sport.
"Hopefully if the calendars align when everything gets sorted in Australia and New Zealand and America itself we can work some things out but there are lot more issues at hand before I make my debut."