Scott McLaughlin addressed concerns surrounding his Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power, who will start the 109th Indy 500 from the back row after a technical violation discovered just before qualifying. McLaughlin maintained his focus on his own race despite the setback for Newgarden and Power.
IndyCar officials identified that Newgarden and Power’s cars had unauthorized modifications to their rear attenuators, a spec part that must remain unaltered. As a result, both drivers withdrew from the Fast 12 qualifying session and were subsequently assigned starting positions at the back of the field, with Newgarden in 32nd and Power in 33rd place.
In contrast, McLaughlin’s No. 3 Chevy was free of any infractions. Although a crash during practice prevented him from advancing to the Fast 12 and initially placed him 12th on the starting grid, the penalties applied to his teammates ultimately moved him up to 10th position. The 2024 Indy 500 pole winner expressed his mindset during a press conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) ahead of the May 25 race.
McLaughlin Talks About His Perspective Amid Team Challenges
When asked about the challenge posed by the penalties on his teammates and his expectations for the event, McLaughlin emphasized concentration on his own performance rather than on what Newgarden and Power might do. He said,
“I’m not taking for granted. It’s going to be a tough race, regardless. I know we have fast cars. Everyone feels that way, as well. I don’t know. For me, I’m not worried about their race. I’m focused on my own. But we know what we need to do to sort of keep ourselves in the game.” —Scott McLaughlin, Indy 500 pole winner
He continued to explain how this month has been different for him personally, gaining experience and calmness in managing race cadence, saying,
“I’ve said it all month. It’s been so nice to be able to come into a month where I was up the front a little further than I had been in my career. I understand the cadence a little bit more, you could say. But yeah, not really focused on what they’re doing. I’m just focused on myself.” —Scott McLaughlin, Indy 500 pole winner
Update on McLaughlin’s Backup Indy 500 Car
Scott McLaughlin’s original No. 3 Chevy was extensively damaged following his crash during the second day of Indy 500 qualifying practice. Despite escaping injury, McLaughlin apologized to Team Penske for the incident, which sidelined the car just before qualifying. Thankfully, the team had a fully built backup car ready to deploy.
Before the final practice session on Carb Day, McLaughlin was asked about how the replacement vehicle compared in terms of speed and handling.
“No, it’s right there. It’s a brand-new car, brand-new chassis, brand-new speedway car. It’s a purpose-built speedway car.” —Scott McLaughlin, Indy 500 pole winner
During the post-qualifying practice on Monday, where he placed 31st out of 33 drivers, McLaughlin also shared his thoughts on the car’s performance, noting some minor setup issues.
“Honestly, Monday felt very close. We just had a couple things not quite at upright that affected some setup and stuff. Ironed that out, had a good week to prepare, and things should be just as fast.” —Scott McLaughlin, Indy 500 pole winner
On Carb Day’s final practice, McLaughlin’s performance showed slight improvement, finishing 27th. He will start on the inside of Row 4, alongside Conor Daly and Alexander Rossi, signaling a challenging but promising position as the race approaches.
The Implications for Team Penske and the Indy 500
Starting from the last row places Newgarden and Power in a difficult position for the 109th running of the Indy 500, complicating their chances of a strong finish. Meanwhile, McLaughlin’s consistent focus and recovery after his crash position him as a key contender despite his mid-grid start. Team Penske faces significant pressure to execute flawless race strategies to withstand these setbacks.
The situation highlights the strict technical regulations enforced in IndyCar and how even small infractions can reshape the competitive landscape. For McLaughlin, concentrating on his own race and adapting to his backup car’s setup remain priorities as the iconic event approaches.
