McLaughlin not happy at Penske claims

Kiwi Scott McLaughlin is “frustrated” about the fallout from the Team Penske cheating drama at Indianapolis.

Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified from qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 after modified attenuatiors were found on their cars.

McLaughlin was unaffected with his car not being impacted, even before his horrific crash.

However, the Kiwi is furious with the fallout as it has tarnished the team’s reputation and seen three high profile team members led by Tim Cindric be dropped.

“Ultimately, those three guys are friends of mine and have done a tremendous amount in my career to get me to this point,” McLaughlin said. 

“I guess you could say there’s a sadness from my perspective.

“At the end of the day I drive for Roger Penske. I respect the decision. I understand the decision. We move forward. 

“I think I’m disappointed in some of my peers and people in this room, just how it was taken out of proportion in some ways.

“At the same time, I think people forget just what Roger’s done for this sport in general, and that definitely gets thrown to the side a little bit, which I find a hard time not being passionate about that.

“I’m disappointed with how Roger’s name has been thrown through the mud, his integrity, our team, the people on the floor, the people that spend hours away from their families trying to build these cars. “Basically they’re being thrown to the mud. I take that personally.

“But ultimately what’s done is done. This happened. We have to move forward. The penalties are accepted. 

“Personally I think I had the fastest car, I put it in the fence. I didn’t have what was said. 

“Smart people in this paddock know there was no gain with that, you know?

“It’s frustrating that this is blown up like it has and it’s cost three people that I’m very close with their jobs. 

“But overall, my view on it right now is just to focus forward and win Roger his 21st.”

What has not helped McLaughlin’s mood was someone placing a port-a-loo in front of his motorhome front door.

“I was actually out for dinner. I’m not happy about that, by the way,” he said with a smile. 

“Whoever did that pissed me off again. It’s been a wild couple days. I’m ready to go. Ready to swing.

“The porta-potty blocked the door to get in my bus. I was worried for Karly and my daughter. I respect the prank game, but they got to think a little bit. Whoever it is, they’re going to go down hard.”

With everything going on off the track, McLaughlin said he is full of desire to win.

“I tell you what, there’s that much motivation in our garage, within the team, within my stand,” he said. 

“I’m excited to work with Ben even closer than I have before. 

“I think we’ve got amazing people coming in from a substitute perspective helping us out, Jonathan Diuguid, Raul Prados, people that have won this race before.”

Image: IndyCar

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