AUSSIE EXEC PROMOTED TO TEAM PENSKE

Aussie Exec promoted to Team Penske – Photo: LAT

Scott McLaughlin won’t be the only DJR Team Penske ‘find’ at the American parent race team if, as expected, he moves to the States next year.

By MARK FOGARTY

McLaughlin would join DJRTP executive Chris Wilson, who has been appointed head of marketing at Team Penske.

Wilson caught the eye of Penske Corporation chief Roger Penske and Team Penske president Tim Cindric with his commercial work at DJRTP, helping to attract major sponsors like Shell.

He succeeds Team Penske marketing and communications director Jonathon Gibson, who has been promoted to Penske group marketing chief in Detroit.

Wilson will be based at Mooresville, North Carolina, from where Team Penske operates its NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA teams.

He made his name in Supercars as the commercial manager of Stone Brothers Racing and after a brief consultancy with Holden Racing Team, joined DJR Team Penske in late 2015.

Wilson was promoted in November and moved to Mooresville late last month.

DJRTP is looking for a replacement to take over his key commercial role.

McLaughlin is waiting to hear if he will be recalled by Team Penske to the open pre-season IndyCar test at Circuit Of The Americas on February 12-13 following his impressive rookie test at Sebring last month.

Team Penske is also looking at entering the Brisbane-based Kiwi in at least one road race this year ahead of a possible switch to the IndyCar Series next year.

Even if he doesn’t get promoted to the open-wheeler squad, it is expected McLaughlin will be transferred to the States for NASCAR or IMSA duties.

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