Starting in second behind Pato O'Ward, the Kiwi benefitted from a yellow flag to take his first pit stop and hold first place.
It's a much-needed boost for McLaughlin after a poor run of form lately.
He won the opening race of the season in St. Petersburg before a second placing in Texas to top the standings but then failed to crack the top five in the last six races which saw him drop to ninth before today's win.
Fellow Kiwi Scott Dixon, a six-time winner at Mid-Ohio, finished fifth.
McLaughlin's parents Wayne and Diane were on course for the victory after joining their son in May after 31 months apart due to Covid-19.
"To have mum and dad here was super special," McLaughlin said after the win.
"It's America's weekend. Last night I was dressed up as a blow-up beagle so maybe I need to do that every July 4 weekend."
More to come...
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