| Car Number | #3 |
| Team | Team Penske |
| Engine | Chevrolet |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Born | June 10, 1993 - Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Age | 32 |
2026 Season Stats
Career Stats
Biography
Scott McLaughlin is a New Zealander who has become one of the most compelling stories in modern IndyCar racing. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and raised largely in Australia, McLaughlin first made his name as an absolute force in the Australian Supercars Championship, where he won three consecutive titles from 2018 to 2020 while driving for DJR Team Penske. His dominance Down Under was so thorough that it earned him the attention of Roger Penske himself, who offered McLaughlin the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream - racing in IndyCar.
The transition from tin-top touring cars to open-wheel single-seaters is one of the most difficult switches in motorsport. McLaughlin made it look remarkably natural. He joined Team Penske's IndyCar operation full-time in 2021 and by 2022 was already winning races, claiming his first IndyCar victory at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. His success proved that his talent transcended categories. Few drivers in motorsport history have been able to dominate in one discipline and then excel in a completely different one, but McLaughlin has done exactly that.
What makes McLaughlin special is his relentless positivity and his willingness to learn. He arrived in IndyCar knowing he had to master ovals - something entirely foreign to his Supercars background - and he has steadily improved on every type of circuit. His racecraft on road and street courses was always strong, and his oval pace has developed with each passing season. He has now accumulated seven IndyCar victories and has established himself as a consistent championship contender.
In 2026, McLaughlin sits seventh in the championship with 99 points, keeping himself firmly in the title conversation. At just 32, he is entering the prime years of his IndyCar career with the full support of the best team in the paddock behind him. An Indianapolis 500 victory remains the one major prize that has eluded him, and his continued growth on ovals suggests it may only be a matter of time. Between his three Supercars championships and his IndyCar success, McLaughlin has built a cross-discipline resume that few active drivers anywhere in the world can match.
Interesting Facts
- Won three consecutive Australian Supercars championships (2018, 2019, 2020) before switching to IndyCar - one of the most successful Supercars drivers ever
- Born in Christchurch, New Zealand - not Australian, despite his Supercars fame
- First driver in IndyCar history to transition directly from the Australian Supercars Championship and become a race winner
- His 2019 Bathurst 1000 victory was one of the most dominant performances in the history of that iconic race
- Close personal friendship with three-time Superbike champion Jonathan Rea - both from New Zealand
Indianapolis 500 Results
| Year | Team | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Team Penske | 17 | 20th |
| 2022 | Team Penske | 13 | 16th |
| 2023 | Team Penske | 12 | 6th |
| 2024 | Team Penske | 8 | 3rd |
| 2025 | Team Penske | 6 | 8th |