Scott McLaughlin has shared his assessment of Shane van Gisbergen’s potential performance at the Indy 500, should the NASCAR Cup Series driver decide to compete in the prestigious IndyCar event. Both New Zealand racers have a long history as rivals from their days in the Supercars championship, adding an intense edge to McLaughlin’s insights on van Gisbergen’s abilities at Indianapolis.
McLaughlin, who dominated the Supercars series with three straight championships from 2018 to 2020, transitioned to IndyCar with Team Penske. During that time, van Gisbergen claimed back-to-back Supercars titles before moving into NASCAR. Each driver has since excelled in their respective categories, with van Gisbergen notably impressing this season on NASCAR’s road and street circuits. McLaughlin was recently asked about van Gisbergen’s chances of racing at the Indy 500, leading to some candid remarks.
McLaughlin’s View on van Gisbergen’s Oval Racing Skills
When discussing van Gisbergen’s ability to compete on ovals, McLaughlin offered a lighthearted yet confident opinion.
“I think he’s a little scared of us on the ovals,”
said the Team Penske driver with a joking tone.
“He’d be awesome at it. He’s just very diverse with what he does with his racing, and he’d be totally fine. It’d be pretty cool, definitely be pretty cool to see him in IndyCar.”
This comment reflects the ongoing challenge van Gisbergen faces adapting to oval tracks, where his best recent result is a 14th place finish at Richmond, contrasting sharply with his dominance on road courses.
Van Gisbergen’s strong record on road and street circuits this season includes winning four out of five races, finishing sixth in the fifth race, but he has yet to replicate that success on oval tracks. This disparity likely prompted McLaughlin’s ‘scared of us on the ovals’ tease – an acknowledgment of van Gisbergen’s untested limits on this unique racing surface.
Meanwhile, McLaughlin himself endured a discouraging experience at the 109th Indy 500, crashing out on the pre-race pace lap while attempting to warm his tires. This incident underlined the unpredictable nature of oval racing, even for experienced drivers.
Rumors and Reality Surrounding McLaughlin’s NASCAR Prospects
After the 2025 IndyCar Grand Prix of Portland, speculation emerged around Scott McLaughlin potentially moving to NASCAR for the 2026 season. The rumors gained traction when commentator Townsend Bell mentioned such a possibility while discussing Team Penske’s driver lineup. However, McLaughlin swiftly addressed these reports on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, clarifying that his focus remains firmly on IndyCar.
“Honestly, I just don’t think as much as it would be cool and stuff, it’s not just on my radar right now. There’s too many things, especially after the year we’ve had,”
McLaughlin stated, dispelling any immediate thoughts of a NASCAR switch. Despite interest, he stressed that a one-off NASCAR race might be appealing but not a career change at this stage.
Adding a competitive edge to the conversation, McLaughlin asserted confidence in matching van Gisbergen’s skills should they ever race directly in NASCAR.
“I definitely think I could give Shane a run for his money. But at the same time, I’m very happy for Shane. He’s so detailed, driven, and very, very fast,”
he said, acknowledging van Gisbergen’s talent as well as their ongoing rivalry.
Season Highlights and Challenges for Both Drivers
The 2025 season has been mixed for McLaughlin, who started strong by securing pole position at the St. Petersburg race and finished with podium places at Milwaukee and Nashville. Yet, the rest of his season was hampered by a series of unfortunate events and mistakes, resulting in fewer standout performances than expected. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen’s NASCAR campaign has shown exceptional strength, especially on non-oval tracks, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile racer.
These contrasting trajectories underscore the challenges inherent in competing across multiple racing disciplines. Van Gisbergen’s shift to NASCAR has brought new tests, particularly on oval courses where his performance is still developing, while McLaughlin adapts to the nuances of IndyCar and recovers from setbacks such as his Indy 500 crash.
The Impact and Future Possibilities
McLaughlin’s remarks shed light on the competitive dynamics between two of New Zealand’s top racers and hint at intriguing future possibilities. Should van Gisbergen venture into IndyCar’s marquee event, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest that tests his adaptability, especially on oval circuits. Likewise, McLaughlin’s expressed readiness to challenge van Gisbergen in NASCAR adds fuel to any cross-series rivalry scenarios that may arise.
As the 2025 racing season progresses, the interest in both drivers’ performances remains high, with their careers continuing to evolve in unpredictable ways. McLaughlin’s candid and hopeful comments underline not only respect for his compatriot but also the excitement around potential future showdowns on some of motorsport’s most demanding stages.
