MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin sets an IndyCar date with the Brickyard

Supercars star Scott McLaughlin’s IndyCar aspirations have formally materialised, with the Kiwi confirming his debut in the US open-wheeler series at the Indianapolis road course in May.

Weeks after conducting a rookie evaluation at Sebring with Team Penske, the same team behind his Shell V-Power Racing Supercars Mustang, McLaughlin will get his start on Indianapolis’ in-field ‘roval’ circuit on May 8-9 – held days before practice for the Indianapolis 500 begins.

Before then, the 26-year-old will drive at IndyCar’s pre-season test at the Circuit of the Americas next week (Feb 11-12), while also beginning his Supercars title defence in Adelaide later this month.

McLaughlin has made no secret of his US aspirations. The two-time Supercars champion said the IndyCar start was a dream come true.

“This is an amazing opportunity – to race against some of the best open wheel drivers in the world on one of the most historic tracks in motorsports,” said McLaughlin.

“I’m excited about the challenge of trying to win a third-consecutive Supercars championship while helping to keep the Shell V-Power Racing Team at the front of the field this season. I’m also really looking forward to this new opportunity.

“It’s a driver’s dream to get a chance to race an Indy car for Team Penske.

“With the experience I gained at the test in Sebring, I know a little bit more about what to expect when I get back into the car at COTA.

“I just want to learn as much as I can every time I’m in the car so I can make the most of the opportunity to race with the team at the Grand Prix in Indianapolis.”

The test session no doubt impressed motoring magnate and team owner Roger Penske, one of McLaughlin’s biggest supporters.

“Scott has experienced tremendous success in Supercars over the last three seasons with DJR Team Penske and we believe his talent and his drive will continue to shine behind the wheel of an Indy car,” Penske said.

“It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop as we work up to his first race at the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

“We know Scott will work hard to improve with every lap and he will represent Team Penske well as he gets acclimated to the IndyCar Series.”

The news marks a busy period for McLaughlin, whose Supercars commitments get underway at The Bend with a test session on February 18, before the Supercars season kicks off on February 20 with the Superloop Adelaide 500.

The Indianapolis road course race falls a week before Supercars’ Pirtek Perth SuperSprint.

The news from America comes as Anton de Pasquale is widely touted as a potential replacement in the #17 Ford Mustang from 2021, with other youngsters including Thomas Randle, Bryce Fullwood and Will Brown attracting interest ahead of a full-scale revamp of the driving roster at the Queensland team.