The right stuff
Scott McLaughlin (28 years old) delivered on the promise he showed Team Penske when it signed him straight from Australian touring cars to race in the IndyCar Series, earning his first career victory, Sunday in the Firestone Grand Prix of St.Petersburg (Fl.)
New Zealand native McLaughlin made his IndyCar Series debut at this event in 2020, after winning three straight Australian V8 Supercars championships and then raced his first full season of open-wheel competition in 2021, with an impressive best finish of second, and earned series ‘Rookie of the Year’ award.
This Sunday afternoon, the Kiwi drove his No.3 Penske Chevrolet from the pole to victory despite heavy pressure by reigning series champion Alex Palou (Ganassi) in the closing stages.
“Thank you to Roger Penske and Tim Cindric (team-principal) for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to come here,”McLaughlin said, minutes after crossing the finishing line. A champion in the making, without any doubt.