Scott McLaughlin to make IndyCar debut at Indianapolis

On the back of a successful test at Sebring, two-time Supercars title winner Scott McLaughlin will make his debut in the IndyCar Series later this season with Team Penske.

McLaughlin, who will be chasing his third straight Supercars title this season with DJR Team Penske, will be at the wheel of the #2 Dallara/Chevrolet for the GMR Grand Prix, which will be held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on 9 May.

The 26-year-old will also take part in pre-season testing at the Circuit of the Americas next week.

“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,” he said. “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.”

Legendary team boss Roger Penske said he felt McLaughlin would be able to impress against the series regulars in his Indianpolis outing.

“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,” he 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.”