McLaughlin confirmed for his IndyCar debut

New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin will make his long-awaited IndyCar series debut in the season finale on the streets of St Petersburg in Florida next month.

The two-time and defending Supercars champion for DJR Team Penske was set to compete in his first IndyCar series race this year at Indianapolis before the Covid-19 pandemic forced several delays and postponements on racing schedules, along with international travel restrictions.

Before the pandemic shutdown, McLaughlin participated in the IndyCar pre-season open test in Austin, Texas, where he posted the thirdfastest time of the test session.

He also competed in separate tests at the Sebring International Raceway road course and the Texas Motor

Speedway oval.

Despite the disruptions, McLaughlin said he had not stopped thinking about making his IndyCar debut.

‘‘I’ve been doing everything I can to keep up with the series this year, from watching as many races as I can on TV to even talking to the drivers and some of the engineers back at the Team Penske shop. I never knew if I would be able to get behind the wheel of one of these cars this year due to all the Covid-19 restrictions, but I wanted to be ready if it became an opportunity.’’

The October 25 IndyCar event at St Petersburg is one week after the Supercars season concludes.

McLaughlin leads the Supercars point standings with three rounds left on the 2020 schedule. He holds a 143-point lead over Jamie Whincup entering this weekend’s race at Tailem Bend in South Australia.

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