Scott McLaughlin aims to redeem himself at the 110th Indianapolis 500 after crashing during last year's pace laps. He seeks to transform his emotions into a strong performance, having only one top-five finish this season.
Key points
Scott McLaughlin crashed during the pace laps of the 109th Indianapolis 500
He has been emotionally affected by the incident since last year
McLaughlin has only one top-five finish this season
He aims to redeem himself at the 110th Indianapolis 500
McLaughlin expresses determination to perform well
Scott McLaughlinIndianapolis 500
Motorsport photo
Motorsport photo
is motivated to flip the script for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
The New Zealander crashed out during the pace laps of last yearâs 109th edition of âThe Greatest Spectacle in Racing,â which left him sitting in a wave of emotions with head in hands in Turn 1 moments later. He has carried that feeling ever since, patiently waiting to return and make things right. Additionally, though, with his runner-up result at this yearâs season-opening round at St. Petersburg standing as his only top five so far through six races, a win would help jumpstart some much-needed stability.
âThere's a bit between my teeth to get back there and start the race and show what we can do,â said McLaughlin, 32. âAt the same time, it's not a given that we'll have a great race.
âI've got to work hard, as I did last year, and we'll just focus on what we can control. Yeah, but the confidence is high and there's no better way. It's been a pretty crappy year for me in terms of just up and down results.
âI'd love to start some consistency and get going.â
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
An offseason of several changes undoubtedly put McLaughlin and everyone else on the #3 Team Penske Chevrolet behind the likes of established rivals. Raul Prados replaced Ben Bretzman as his race engineer, with David Hunt taking over as spotter from Adam Fournier, and former Team Penske President Tim Cindric - who spent the last several seasons as teammate Josef Newgardenâs strategist - sliding over to call race strategy for McLaughlin.
Q&A
What happened to Scott McLaughlin during last year's Indianapolis 500?
Scott McLaughlin crashed out during the pace laps of the 109th Indianapolis 500.
How has Scott McLaughlin performed in the current racing season?
Scott McLaughlin has achieved only one top-five finish so far this season, at the St. Petersburg race.
What does Scott McLaughlin hope to achieve at the 110th Indianapolis 500?
Scott McLaughlin aims to redeem himself and demonstrate his capabilities after last year's crash.
How does McLaughlin feel about returning to the Indianapolis 500?
McLaughlin feels motivated and eager to start the race and show what he can do, despite the uncertainty of the outcome.
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All of the new voices has played a role in learning how to communicate with each other.
âYeah, I'm probably a bit harsh when I say crappy year, but to my standards, I feel like we should be a little bit better,â said McLaughlin, the 2024 Indy 500 pole-sitter.
âThere's definitely some, like, teething, just trying to work out some communication between myself and Raul, my engineer, and, when we've got the car really good, it's really, really good, and then when it's bad, it's just we're trying to work out communication to make it better, and every weekend we're getting better and stronger, and as a relationship, I feel very, very good with him. It's just a matter of just getting some dialogue. He's Spanish, and the way that I speak in âKiwi,â I'm pretty emotional, and sometimes he takes that⊠like, if I need to turn (of front wing), he maybe goes too much, and then we find ourselves the wrong way.
âWe're trying a different system from here on in in terms of how I give feedback about the car, and, you know, that is a teething issue, but it's stuff that, there's a lot of potential there, and a lot of belief in my group within the whole organization.
âI'm here for a long time, not a short time, so I'm excited to work with him.â
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
And while there is more on-track time in preparation for the Indy 500 to build on that communication, McLaughlin isnât concerned at this particular event with Prados. A big reason for that is Prados, also an IMSA WeatherTech Sports Championship race-winning engineer, spent the last two Indy 500 races with Newgarden, including his 2024 victory. Prados also first stepped on a Penske timing stand in 2016 for Juan Pablo Montoya, and additionally reprised the role in the 2021 Indy 500 for Simona De Silvestro when Team Penske provided technical support to Paretta Autosport.
âI'm not worried about here,â McLaughlin said. âYou know, he's won the 500 before. This one's not one that I'm worried about from that perspective, but for sure we can massage that feedback.â
