Kiwi champ weds in California
Kiwi Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has capped off one of the biggest years of his life by marrying American partner Karly Paone in Malibu, California.
Their wedding was on Saturday, the same day Team Penske confirmed McLaughlin had been invited to participate in an IndyCar rookie evaluation test in Florida next month.
McLaughlin, 26, drives for the American motorsport giants in the Supercars Championship and has won the last two titles.
The wedding’s guest list included some of the sport’s biggest names, including McLaughlin’s team bosses Dick Johnson and Ryan Story, according to speedcafe.com.
Also in attendance were his regular driving crew, as well as owner Roger Penske, Team Penske president Tim Cindric, and team-mate Fabian Couthard. ‘‘It has been an incredible year and I could not think of a better way to top if off,’’ McLaughlin told speedcafe.com.
‘‘I am incredibly fortunate to have Karly in my life and to have so many friends and family here to celebrate our wedding. It has been a terrific day.’’ McLaughlin and Paone are reportedly planning to honeymoon in the United States before his IndyCar test.
Fellow Kiwi driver Scott Dixon has won the IndyCar title five times.
The testing will take place at the world famous Sebring International Raceway in Florida on January 13.
‘‘Scott has been incredibly successful for DJR Team Penske over the last three seasons and he has become a true champion of our sport,’’ said owner Penske.
‘‘He certainly embraces new challenges and we think this is a great opportunity to utilise the IndyCar Series rookie testing program so Scott can experience what it is like to get behind the wheel of one of our Indy cars.’’
McLaughlin has produced 35 victories and 44 pole positions over the last three seasons and has little more to achieve in Supercars.
– Stuff with AAP