In a short span within motorsports, Scott McLaughlin has made significant strides, compiling an impressive list of global victories along with securing three Supercars championships in Australia.
The Kiwi made headlines early in his career, becoming the youngest winner in Supercars history when he crossed the finish line first at Pukekohe in 2013, aged 19 years, 10 months, and 3 days.
He went on to achieve 55 additional wins in the series, with a notable victory in the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
Following a one-off appearance in the IndyCar Series at the Streets of St. Petersburg in 2020, McLaughlin fully committed to Team Penske in the subsequent season.
In 2022, he celebrated an exhilarating victory at the same track where he debuted, managing to fend off defending champion Alex Palou.
As he competes in his fourth year in North America’s top open-wheel racing series, McLaughlin has tallied six victories. His most recent win came during the first race of a double-header weekend at Iowa, marking his first triumph on an oval, leading him to declare, “I can now call myself an IndyCar driver,” in addition to his accomplishments on road and street courses.
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, start
Photo by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Images
This raises the question: which victory holds more significance for McLaughlin?
“It’s tough to answer that without upsetting fans from both sides,” McLaughlin joked, adding that he also secured an LMP2 class win in IMSA’s 12 Hours of Sebring last year.
“Winning an IndyCar race brings about many variables, making it exceptionally rewarding,” he explained.
“Conversely, a V8 (Supercars) race can vary. A sprint race in V8s can be simpler, whereas a complex three-stop race in Toronto presents a different challenge.
“Then there’s Bathurst, which is a six- or seven-hour endurance race with another driver involved, plus numerous uncontrollable factors; winning that is incredibly fulfilling.
“It really comes down to the difficulty of the win, as that ultimately shapes the satisfaction.”
Scott McLaughlin, DJR Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Dirk Klynsmith / Motorsport Images
Nonetheless, McLaughlin shared what he considers to be the most gratifying victory of his career thus far.
“It’s tough to look past Bathurst,” said McLaughlin, who was named the 2021 IndyCar Rookie of the Year.
“That race really paved the way for my career here. I remember getting out of the car and the first thing Roger (Penske) said was, ‘Alright, it’s time for America.’
“That definitely set the tone for my future. Another win that stands out is my initial victory at St. Petersburg.
“That one was significant. I had to navigate through light traffic with reigning champion Alex breathing down my neck; that was a major moment of validation for me, especially after the challenges I faced the previous year.”
