Arrow McLaren Racing feels like they’re close. And they are. They’re on the verge of a breakout in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and it’s something that could possibly come as soon as this weekend’s Honda Indy 200 (1:30 p.m. ET, USA, INDYCAR Radio Network) at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

They had the pace last year. Pato O’Ward started on the pole while Felix Rosenqvist rolled off fourth. Unfortunately for them, mechanical gremlins crept in and resulted in the duo having 2 cars in the top 4 of the starting lineup to 2 cars finishing in the bottom 4 of the race results.

“Last year, Mid-Ohio brought heartbreaks with our two cars suffering reliability issues after qualifying on pole and running up front,” said racing director of McLaren, Gavin Ward. “You could say that this year we’re looking for redemption.

“We’ve had the pace to fight at the front everywhere this year, so we’re quietly confident coming back here with a focus on continual improvement and enjoying the process of building a better race team week-in, week-out.”

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Rosenqvist’s troubles ended his day on Lap 8. He’d finish last in the 27-car field. O’Ward led the opening 28 laps but towards the end of the first stint, he began to feel troubles with his car. They called it quits after 52 laps which left him 24th.

“Mid-Ohio is the exact halfway point of the season. As a team, I feel like we have some unfinished business there because of what happened last year with our cars,” O’Ward said. I can’t wait to get back and keeping building our momentum.”

Rosenqvist echoed his sentiments.

“I think we’re all looking forward to getting back to Mid-Ohio to take care of some unfinished business from last year,” said the Swede. “It was arguably our best weekend of the season leading up to the race; then both cars were struck by unfortunate events. We’re ready to get back and I’m looking forward to enjoying one of the most exciting racetracks in the U.S.”

Seems unified in their approach for the 2.258-mile rural Ohio road course. They’re out to make up for last year’s heartbreak and feel like they have the cars to do so.

If they’re going to pick up that pace, they’re going to have to beat the Penske’s and Ganassi’s to do so. Among the last 24 Mid-Ohio podium possibilities, Penske has 11 of them (45.8%). Andretti is next best with 7 (29.1%) while Ganassi is behind them with 4 (16.6%). Between this trio, that’s 22 of the last 24 (91.6%).

Penske and Ganassi have swept the podium here in each of the last two years and have won the race in six of the last eight years overall. They also finished 1-2 in each of the last three races on the season too.

However, if anyone is going to knock them off, it’s McLaren.

Among the 9 total podium spots on the three natural road courses this season, they have three, equaling Penske for most. Ganassi has two with Andretti one.

Podiums This Year on These Types Of Tracks

Barber: Penske-Andretti-Penske

IMS: Ganassi-McLaren-McLaren

Road America: Ganassi-Penske-McLaren

Ganassi’s only podiums have come from Alex Palou’s wins. That opens the door for McLaren again.

I also thing with O’Ward being fourth in Barber, runner-up in Indy and third in Road America this season, he will be a threat on both Saturday (qualifying) and on Sunday (race day) too.

Rosenqvist could be a key player too.

He narrowly lost here as a rookie in 2019 in being runner-up to Scott Dixon. He was sixth in Race 1 of the 2020 weekend. But, over his next three starts? 22nd, 23rd and 27th respectively.

That’s 27th should have been better and he has two top 10 finishes in three natural road course starts this season, with his best finish being 5th.

Their new teammate, Alexander Rossi, may be the one to watch out of them all.

He has six top six finishes in his last seven tries on the track including three podiums in his last six overall there. In qualifying here, he’s made the Fast 6 in 4 of the last 7 tries. He’s finished eighth, third and 10th respectively on natural road courses in 2023.

“First and foremost, I’m incredibly excited about the upcoming Mid-Ohio race,” said the 2018 Mid-Ohio winner. “It has always been a unique challenge with its elevation and high-speed corners. The speed of the team here last year was phenomenal, and we are in the part of the season where we have to capitalize on our opportunities. We have a strong sense of confidence but remain fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. As always, our goal is to deliver the best possible performance, and we’ll fight for every possible point.”