MCLAUGHLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM REALISED

Scott McLaughlin’s American dream realised – Photo: InSyde Media

Scott McLaughlin’s dream of racing in America is about to come true.

By AUTO ACTION US CORRESPONDENT MIKE BRUDENELL

The three-time Supercars champion will kick off his IndyCar career on the streets of St Petersburg on Sunday after being confirmed as the fourth Team Penske driver for next year’s series.

The Kiwi superstar joins a Team Penske outfit featuring three of the most successful drivers of the past decade including two-time IndyCar and reigning champion Josef Newgarden, 2016 series winner Simon Pagenaud and 2014 title holder Will Power, with the latter pair also laying claim to an Indy 500 victory each.

A hotly tipped move, McLaughlin was thrilled to confirm his stateside move in 2021, but acknowledged the DJR Team Penske Supercars team that helped him achieve incredible success since joining the team in 2017.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to take the next step in my career and compete against some of the best drivers in the world in the IndyCar Series,” said McLaughlin.

“The last four years racing for DJR Team Penske has been amazing. I want to thank every single person on the team, and everyone that has helped me reach this point in my career. I wouldn’t be in position to continue to chase my dream without the hard work of so many people along the way.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of joining one of the most iconic motorsports programs of all time – Team Penske’s IndyCar team. I wish the 2021 season would begin tomorrow.”

Speaking prior to the announcement, McLaughlin hinted at a possible IndyCar move while expressing content with what he had achieved in his Supercars career.

“In Australia, yeah, for sure, I’ve done everything I wanted to achieve,” said McLaughlin from Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday. “I wanted to win at Bathurst and a championship. Thankfully, I won three championships and one Bathurst.

“If it did come to a point where I was moving on from Supercars, I would be satisfied. I’ve always been a person once I have ticked a box, I want to go to another spot and tick another box and whatever. Never want to stop and be content.”

Another box could be NASCAR, where former two-time Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose ruled on road courses during his tenure in America.

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series will feature six road-course races on its schedule, up from the traditional two on the calendar.

McLaughlin didn’t rule out joining Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney to form a four-car team on at least one or more road course weekends, though it is dependent on his IndyCar commitments.

“I’ll literally race a wheelbarrow if I can,” responded McLaughlin to a question at IndyCar’s news conference on Thursday. “I don’t care. I’ll race anything.”

For more of the latest IndyCar news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.