Photo courtesy of Joe Skibinski | IndyCar
Team Penske announced Wednesday afternoon that they have signed Scott McLaughlin to a multi-year contract extension to remain in the team’s IndyCar program.
The extension comes just days after the 29-year old took the checkered flag at Portland International Raceway to stay in the hunt for the IndyCar title.
Entering the series finale, the Penske driver sits 41 points behind current championship leader Will Power and will be going up against teammate Josef Newgarden (-20), six-time champion Scott Dixon (-20) and Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson (-39).
“Scott took a big gamble when he came to INDYCAR, as he knew he would be leaving a series where he knew he could thrive for years to come,” said Team Penske President, Tim Cindric in a statement. “To see him have the success he has had so far has been really satisfying, as we were confident in his talent. We just didn’t know how long it would take for him to gain the confidence in himself. Scott has adjusted quickly and has already established himself as someone that can win at any track during one of the most competitive eras of INDYCAR racing. He continues to be a great representative for our partners and he has connects well with race fans all over the world. We are excited that he will continue to be part of the Team Penske legacy for years to come.”
McLaughlin joined Team Penske in 2017, competing in the Australian Supercars championship. From 2018-2020, he racked up 40 victories, including the famed Bathurst 1000 in 2019.
His first IndyCar win came in the 2022 season opener at St. Petersburg where he took the checkered flag from pole position.
“Team Penske has been such a huge part of my career, helping me get to where I’m at today, so I’m excited to continue racing with Roger (Penske), Tim and the entire team well into the future,” said McLaughlin in a statement. “Getting a chance to move to the United States and chase my racing dream, driving in the INDYCAR SERIES, is something that would not have been possible without Team Penske, so I’m forever grateful. I’ve had so many great moments with this team, from winning three Supercars Championships to winning the Bathurst 1000 to making my first INDYCAR start. Now, we are competing at a high level, winning races and poles and even competing for the series championship. I can’t wait to see what the future holds with Team Penske.”
