Scott McLaughlin, driver for Team Penske, shared his thoughts following teammate Will Power’s pole position at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on June 14, where McLaughlin qualified second. This event marked a significant moment as Team Penske secured its 700th pole position spanning its extensive 50-year racing history.
McLaughlin, a New Zealander behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet-powered Team Penske car, witnessed Power claim his first pole since July 2023 with an average speed of 180.329 miles per hour. This achievement also resulted in a front-row lockout for Team Penske, underscoring their dominance in qualifying sessions.
Reflecting on the milestone in a post-qualifying press conference, McLaughlin stated,
“Yeah, I forgot about that. That’s a big one. I would have loved to have got that. Anyway, look, it’s huge to have that with the 700th, then to have a front-row lockout, obviously that’s a big thing. Really happy for the team. Really happy for RP, who is currently locked in on the Le Mans 24 Hours as we speak. All good.”
This pole position was Team Penske’s second for the 2025 season and marked their first front-row lockout this year. McLaughlin secured the first pole earlier in the season at the opening race, which translated into a fourth-place finish for him.
McLaughlin’s Consistent Start to the 2025 IndyCar Season
Scott McLaughlin’s 2025 campaign started strongly with a sixth-place qualifying and finishing position at the 50th anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13. He continued to demonstrate competitive pace, qualifying and finishing fourth at the Sonsio Grand Prix on May 10.
However, the recent Detroit Grand Prix proved more challenging as McLaughlin qualified seventh but ended the race twelfth following a drive-through penalty after a collision with Nolan Siegel. Despite this setback, both McLaughlin and Team Penske are focused on building positive momentum for upcoming races this season.
Scott McLaughlin Discusses Future Plans and IndyCar Commitments
McLaughlin recently spoke candidly about his potential to pursue “Double Duty,” a term used for competing in both IndyCar and NASCAR events, similar to NASCAR champion Kyle Larson. Nevertheless, he made it clear that his current focus remains firmly on IndyCar, particularly winning the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
“I would do it, but I think I’ve got a few boxes I want to tick here in IndyCar first. I know it’s a boring answer but it’s definitely something I’m really interested in doing, but I think I owe it to RP (Roger Penske) and the team to focus on what I’m doing here in IndyCar and then the rest will follow.”
“If you look at [Kyle] Larson; like he was burnt out from doing it the last couple of years and I need to make sure that I’ve won this big race and ultimately the one that I want to win the most, before I even think about moving on to something else and doing something crazy like that,” McLaughlin added.
His recent attempt at the Indianapolis 500 ended prematurely as McLaughlin crashed during the warm-up lap, preventing him from completing the event. Despite this, he remains determined to achieve his goals in IndyCar, with a clear eye on future opportunities and successes.
Looking Ahead: Maintaining Momentum and Pursuing Major Wins
Scott McLaughlin’s reflections on Team Penske’s milestone highlight the team’s enduring strength and his own promising trajectory within IndyCar. With two poles already secured this season and consistent finishes, McLaughlin and Team Penske are positioned to continue their pursuit of victories throughout 2025.
His focus on prioritizing IndyCar achievements before branching out into other racing challenges signals a commitment to mastery and championship success. McLaughlin’s aim to conquer the Indianapolis 500 in the near future will be a key focal point as the season progresses, promising intense competition and high expectations for both driver and team.
