Scott McLaughlin Aims to Overcome May Setbacks at WWTR Race

Scott McLaughlin, a prominent figure in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and a driver for Team Penske, is preparing for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) this weekend. This race provides McLaughlin with an opportunity to move past a challenging May, during which he faced significant setbacks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

McLaughlin's struggles began at the Indianapolis 500, where he experienced a crash in Turn 2, leading to a backup car situation in the main race. Unfortunately, he crashed the backup during warm-up, marking a low point in his career. He reflected on the experience, stating, "It was one of, if not the lowest points of my career, but it’s something I’ll learn from." He emphasized the importance of resilience in racing, stating, "Champions are made from learning from their mistakes."

As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES approaches the WWTR event, McLaughlin retains a strong historical record at the venue, having secured four top-five finishes and two poles in his previous attempts. His performance has been notably impressive, leading a total of 79 laps at WWTR, including 67 laps in last year’s race where he finished second to teammate Josef Newgarden. McLaughlin is eager to return to WWTR, stating, "Really excited to get back there... it’s a track that I've always gone pretty well at. I go in there with a lot of confidence."

The World Wide Technology Raceway has proven to be advantageous for Team Penske, with Newgarden winning four of the past five races at the track, and Will Power also securing victories. McLaughlin's consistency at WWTR, paired with his ambition to bounce back from recent disappointments, positions him as a formidable contender in the upcoming race.

This weekend's Bommarito Automotive Group 500 is particularly crucial as there are only ten races left in the series, and McLaughlin, alongside his teammates, is seeking their first win of the season. The race will be broadcasted on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network, with practice sessions slated for Saturday, including a final practice before the race on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

McLaughlin's journey from novice to competitive oval racer has been remarkable, having only started his oval racing career in 2021. He has demonstrated considerable skill and adaptability in this format, achieving an average finish of 4.8 across 22 oval races, with two wins and numerous top finishes. Reflecting on his experience, he described the unique challenges of racing on ovals, stating, "It’s probably the closest (oval) to replicating a road course... I just really enjoy that."

Looking ahead, McLaughlin remains optimistic about leveraging his experience and talent to turn past setbacks into future successes. As he prepares for this critical race, he underscores the importance of moving forward: "The sun always rises. You just have got to get on with it."