Scott McLaughlin, driver for Team Penske, recently spoke with Doug Boles, President of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, about the team’s struggles in 2025 and their plans to rebound in the 2026 IndyCar season. The Kiwi racer emphasized the determination within Team Penske to recover from a difficult year and return to their winning ways.
Team Penske faced one of its toughest seasons in recent memory in 2025, with none of its drivers finishing inside the top five in the championship standings. Will Power was the highest-ranked Penske driver, ending the year ninth overall, while both Power and Josef Newgarden managed a single win each late in the season.
Off-Track Issues and Team Changes Shake Penske’s 2025 Campaign
Adding to their on-track woes, Team Penske was impacted by the Indy 500 attenuator scandal, causing the organization to dismiss three senior staff members as a consequence. Despite this setback, the team is moving forward confidently into 2026, bolstered by the addition of David Malukas to their driver lineup.
During the Doug and Drivers interview, McLaughlin shared insights on how these difficulties have shaped the team’s renewed approach for the upcoming season.
“Yeah, look, it’s a clean slate in some ways. You know, it’s a refreshed look at the team, especially inside. You probably won’t see it from the outside, but I think, you know, for us and everyone that works there, I think it’s just a little different.,” said Scott McLaughlin
“I’m really proud of how the team has really worked together and in such an awesome, you know, environment the last few months and to get, you know, that mojo back and to really focus on what we need. You know, we need to be better on road courses, a little bit on ovals as well and street courses and people have got, you know, the bit between the teeth to be stronger and really return Roger to where he belongs and, you know, it’s going to be hard. It’s tough. IndyCar is the most competitive series on the planet, but we’re ready for the fight,” added Scott McLaughlin
McLaughlin Shares Thoughts on NASCAR Ambitions With Roger Penske’s Support
Before his IndyCar career, Scott McLaughlin competed in the V8 Supercars championship in Australia and New Zealand. Given NASCAR’s similarities with V8 Supercars, the question of transitioning to NASCAR has come up, especially after fellow racer Shane van Gisbergen successfully made the switch.
McLaughlin revealed that Roger Penske supports the idea of him competing in NASCAR events, although he remains fully focused on his current IndyCar commitments.
“Look, we’ve been, we’ve joked about it. 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,” said McLaughlin
“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,” he added
Outlook on 2026: Rebuilding Penske’s Competitiveness
Entering 2025, McLaughlin was viewed as a strong contender, yet the season’s difficulties left Team Penske far from championship contention. The team’s experience last year has spurred reflection and changes behind the scenes, aiming to improve performance across various track types.
With a renewed mindset, fresh team dynamics, and the addition of David Malukas, Team Penske is determined to reclaim its position among IndyCar’s elite. As McLaughlin noted, the road ahead will be challenging in what is considered one of the world’s most competitive racing series, but the team is prepared to embrace the upcoming fight.
