Scott McLaughlin, a prominent driver for Team Penske in IndyCar, experienced an unexpected moment of generosity off the track during testing at Iowa Speedway. After a day of testing at the oval on June 25 in Newton, a stranger paid for McLaughlin’s family dinner at a local sushi restaurant, prompting the Kiwi driver to express his gratitude publicly.
The Iowa Speedway hosted a test session involving 21 drivers on a 0.875-mile oval track. Following an intense race weekend at Road America marked by multiple crashes and caution periods, drivers gathered to prepare ahead of the Mid-Ohio race scheduled for July 6. Despite their efforts, McLaughlin and his Team Penske colleagues finished outside the Top 10 in the testing timesheets.
After the test, McLaughlin remained in Iowa with his family and enjoyed dinner at a sushi bar where an anonymous individual surprised them by covering the bill. Although McLaughlin did not get a chance to thank the person face to face, he took to social media to acknowledge the kind gesture.
“Hey shoutout to the guy that just picked up me and my family’s meal at the local sushi joint. Hope you are on here and see this,” — Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar driver
Aside from the testing activities, McLaughlin also visited an Iowa Cubs minor league baseball game, brightening the event by participating in a fan activity involving a hot dog cannon, as shared in footage by the IndyCar organization.
The driver experienced varied results during this period; he won the 2024 Race 1 at Iowa Speedway, but recorded a 15th place finish during the 2025 test day, achieving an average speed of 179.429 mph.
Scott McLaughlin’s Performance and Challenges at Road America
McLaughlin entered the Road America Grand Prix starting from fourth position, having secured a strong qualifying time. The #3 Team Penske entry showed promising speed throughout the race, with McLaughlin leading laps and contending for victory. However, a poorly timed caution disrupted his race strategy, resulting in a 12th-place finish.
“Hey shoutout to the guy that just picked up me and my family’s meal at the local sushi joint. Hope you are on here and see this,” — Scott McLaughlin, reflecting on the race and gesture
The rest of the Team Penske lineup struggled as well; Josef Newgarden was forced to retire from the race, and teammate Will Power concluded the event in 14th place. None of the three Penske drivers managed to finish in the Top 10 at Road America.
Upcoming Races and Team Penske’s Outlook
Following testing and several race weekends, the IndyCar series will see the drivers return to the Iowa Speedway for a doubleheader race weekend. McLaughlin and the Team Penske squad intend to improve their performance on the oval track, building on the experience gained during previous events. The upcoming races at Mid-Ohio and Iowa are critical for positioning as the season progresses.
The act of kindness shown to McLaughlin underscores the strong connection between drivers and fans in the IndyCar community, reflecting an atmosphere of support beyond just the competition. For McLaughlin, the gesture was a reminder of the goodwill that exists around the sport, providing an uplifting moment amid the challenges of racing.
