Scott McLaughlin has expressed interest in participating in a NASCAR race as a one-time event while maintaining his full-time commitment to IndyCar with Team Penske. The New Zealand driver revealed that team owner Roger Penske supports the idea and is enthusiastic about the possibility of McLaughlin exploring stock car racing.
Since joining IndyCar in 2021, McLaughlin has focused on adapting to the series after a highly successful run in the Australian Supercars championship, where he secured three consecutive titles driving for DJR Team Penske. When Penske invited him to race in the United States, McLaughlin eagerly accepted, although he initially expected to compete in NASCAR rather than IndyCar, which presented a very different challenge.
McLaughlin on the Potential NASCAR Opportunity and Current Priorities
During IndyCar’s recent media sessions, the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet driver discussed why IndyCar remains his primary focus, despite his willingness and Roger Penske’s encouragement to take on a NASCAR race.
“Look, we’ve been, we’ve joked about it,” said Scott McLaughlin. “He’s like, ‘[Shane] Van Gisbergen is going well; we know you could have a crack with him’. I know that Roger [Penske] would like to see me do it and whatever, and people always hassle him and stuff, but ultimately we’ve got so much here to work on.” – Scott McLaughlin, Driver
“Yeah, I’m just very happy doing what I’m doing right now. Honestly, yes, if he came to me tomorrow and said, ‘Do you want to do a NASCAR race?’ I would do it. Because I just love racing. I would race a fucking wheelbarrow if I could; you know what I mean? So I don’t care. But I love the sport. I love being a part of it, and we’ll see how we go. Sorry, I didn’t mean to swear; I’m just right into it right now.” – Scott McLaughlin, Driver
Reasons Why a Full-Time NASCAR Switch Is Not Currently Feasible for McLaughlin
McLaughlin reflected on the prospect of switching to NASCAR full-time, especially in light of fellow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen’s move to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025 with Trackhouse Racing. Although Van Gisbergen encountered difficulties on oval tracks, he excelled on road and street courses, winning five of six such events.
While McLaughlin acknowledged the appeal of NASCAR, he emphasized that his commitment to IndyCar and his personal circumstances make a full-time transition unlikely at this stage.
“No, I don’t really have much of an interest of going full-time in NASCAR,” McLaughlin said. “I love IndyCar racing, and I love being a part of this sport. You never say never for sure. But at the end of the day, I’m so focused on what I’m doing here in IndyCar that until success happens and until things happen or I’m satisfied, then I don’t really see much on the outside.” – Scott McLaughlin, Driver
Another important factor is McLaughlin’s family life. He and his wife Karly welcomed their daughter, Lucy, in October 2024. McLaughlin pointed out that a full NASCAR schedule would require him to be away from home for 38 race weekends annually—significantly more than the 19 weekends typical of an IndyCar season.
“But from a full-time perspective, no. I think if I was Connor Zilisch’s age and something came, maybe would I think about it? Yeah. But now I’m 32 years old and got a kid at home, and I don’t know if I’m interested in being away 38 weekends a year. That’s just a personal choice,” the Kiwi added. – Scott McLaughlin, Driver
Review of McLaughlin’s Recent Performance and Outlook
Last season, McLaughlin experienced a challenging campaign in IndyCar, contrasting his early status as a preseason championship favorite with a final standing of tenth place. Team Penske also faced difficulties across the board, with none of its drivers capturing wins or regular podium finishes during the year.
The potential for McLaughlin to take part in NASCAR races remains an exciting prospect for fans, especially given Roger Penske’s enthusiasm. However, McLaughlin’s focus on achieving greater success in IndyCar and his commitment to family mean that any move to NASCAR is likely to be limited and selective rather than full-time.
As the 2026 season unfolds, motorsport followers will be keen to see how McLaughlin balances his current goals with the opportunities that could arise in NASCAR in the future, keeping his diverse talents and passion for racing at the forefront of his career.
