Scott McLaughlin recently addressed the ongoing social media disagreement with Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan following an on-track incident at the Detroit Grand Prix. The exchange surfaced after McLaughlin bumped Nolan Siegel during a race restart, which caused Siegel to spin and lose several positions.
Kanaan responded quickly on the social media platform X during the event, reacting to a clip shared by IndyCar’s official account that showed the contact. His brief comment, “Oh ok then….” sparked a heated debate among fans and triggered a back-and-forth between the two on X after the race, with Kanaan making personal remarks toward McLaughlin.
As the IndyCar series prepared for the upcoming race at the WWT Raceway in Madison, Illinois, McLaughlin reflected on the situation, revealing that they have since resolved their differences.
“I mean, me and TK are completely fine. I didn’t go into it. I just didn’t want to. Like, I mean, we can. We cleared the air. There was nothing to really clear. It’s like he clapped back, and I clapped back. It’s just how it is. I thought it was funny that he posted during the race. I, like, responded. I didn’t think he was going to respond the next time, but he did,” the No. 3 Chevy driver said via ASAP Sports on Wednesday.
A reporter also questioned McLaughlin about a personal remark from Kanaan, who referenced McLaughlin’s crash during the pace lap at the Indy 500 while warming his tires. McLaughlin expressed surprise at that jab but accepted it as part of their interactions.
“Like I said, I was surprised that he did. Yeah, it is what it is. That was his decision.”
Regarding the Detroit on-track incident, the situation ended without a definitive winner. McLaughlin was penalized with a drive-through for avoidable contact, which relegated him near the rear of the field, although he fought back to finish in 12th place. Nolan Siegel was unable to recover and finished 19th.
McLaughlin on Maintaining His Personality Despite Feud With Kanaan
Scott McLaughlin is well known for engaging with fans and fellow drivers on social media, and ahead of the next IndyCar round, he insisted that the controversy won’t alter his approach. The New Zealand racer clarified that this disagreement with Tony Kanaan is typical of their interactions and not part of any prolonged dispute.
“Me and TK have always sort of talked on social media. Have been completely fine. It’s not like a year-long feud or things like that that I’ve seen around. It’s just one of those deals where, like, someone’s going to call me out, I’ll clap back as well. It’s just who I am. I’m not going to change.”
In the context of the ongoing championship, Arrow McLaren’s drivers Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard occupy strong positions at second and fourth in the standings, respectively. Meanwhile, Team Penske’s best points scorer, Will Power, is fifth, with McLaughlin, who entered the season as a favorite for the title, sitting eighth.
Despite this, Team Penske remains a formidable contender at the WWT Raceway oval, where the next race will take place. Josef Newgarden, the defending winner at this 1.5-mile Madison, Illinois track, enhances Penske’s credentials as a top team to watch.
The resolution of the social media disagreement between Scott McLaughlin and Tony Kanaan removes extra tension ahead of a crucial stage in the IndyCar season, allowing both drivers to focus on their on-track performances and the high stakes of the championship battle.
