Scott McLaughlin is one of Indycar's biggest characters, driving a bright yellow Chevy with a smile on his face.
His team is known as 'thirsty threes', the number of his race car.
"We're just thirsty for wins, thirsty for good times," McLaughlin told 1News.
"At the end of the day we have a beer when we have a win and we enjoy it just like the Kiwis would. They're not saying 'let's go Scotty', they're saying let's go thirsty threes."
There will be plenty of cheering for McLaughlin and the thirsty threes come Monday morning for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, starting in pole position.
"What an incredible achievement and something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. But ultimately it's the first piece of the puzzle. The next piece is finishing it off."
After being disqualified in the Indycar season opener at St Petersburg, McLaughlin has produced strong results. He said he has a point to prove.
"Any time your integrity or reputation gets put into question you come out swinging in some ways. I'm super proud of the people I've got around me, but getting wins and poles certainly helps and makes it go a long way."
The 30-year-old has plenty of support in the form of his family. The McLaughlins are tight knit, and growing. Scott and his wife Karly are expecting their first child, a daughter, in October.
"I'm so excited to be a dad. At the end of the day family is everything. I miss my mum and dad, my sister not being here at this time, but they're all so excited to become grandparents and an aunty."
His parents Wayne and Diane and sister Samantha aren't heading over to watch the big race but will be glued to the television coverage.
"It's tough at the moment with the distance," Wayne said.
"But that's life. You've got to live with it. You sit back and watch, but you just want to give him a big hug really."
While they won't be there in person his family back him to win the race. "He was obviously born to race. He was committed ever since he was four years old."
Like other drivers, Scott McLaughlin has dreamed about chugging milk at the famous race. This year he's made sure to stick to his Indy500 ritual.
"I don't have milk all this week. It's my superstitious deal. I don't have cereal or anything like that. We get to choose our milk before the race and I've got whole milk so I've got to get the whole thing. Hopefully I'll have my first batch of milk come Sunday [US time]."
Scott Dixon is the first Kiwi to win the Indy500.
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