McLaughlin targeting “zero to hero” Indy 500 campaign

Credit: Joe Skibinski

Scott McLaughlin has vowed to bounce back from a nightmare 2025 Indianapolis 500 campaign in this month’s 110th Running.

The Team Penske driver, who qualified on pole on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 2024, crashed in Turn 1 on the pace laps ahead of last year’s race, which he regarded as possibly the lowest moment of his career.

“Initially it was a cold Coors Light [that] got me through - multiple,” he said ahead of Indy 500 practice running commencing on Tuesday. “But I had great people around me; obviously my wife, my family, my friends that were there, my team. Initially I felt embarrassment for them, ashamed, I guess, in some ways. And probably felt more for them than I did myself. 

“Ultimately, they’re the people that helped me get through it. There’s a reason why that all happened and I’m hoping that there was a reason for me to learn and move forward and be a pretty cool thing. We could come back and go from zero to hero. 

“The race, it chooses you. Someone’s life changes in a couple of weeks. Whether it’s mine or someone else’s, it’s a pretty cool thing to be a part of. That day is a life-changing one for anyone and I just look at it as, I guess, I’m grateful to be a part of it. Win or lose or however it goes, you’ve just got to learn from it and come back stronger.”

Credit: Dominic Loyer

McLaughlin had to wait 11 months before returning to the Speedway for last month’s two-day open test, which served as ample opportunity to put the toils of last May - which also included a chassis-destroying, airborne crash in pre-Fast 12 practice - behind him.

“It was nice to just get out there and drive,” he said. “I knew coming into the month that this is going to be a conversation so I’m just excited to create new storylines. We’ve got a really fast car, great team, great pit stops - got all the ingredients to build a really cool 500 campaign, win or lose.”

The latest Indy 500 campaign marks McLaughlin’s sixth attempt at the race. His sixth-place finish in 2024 remains his only result better than 14th since first competing in the race in 2021 after moving to IndyCar as a three-time V8 Supercars champion.

“I’ve always loved the Speedway ever since I jumped out here and always felt like I’ve had pretty good cars,” he said. “I’ve just built with that and learned from people like Rick Mears and Simon Pagenaud. I’m in a good spot from an experience perspective. 

“I know what I need. I know when to call it and maybe put it in the truck for the day or when to bail out on a situation in practice. But that all counts for nothing because I’m versing people [like] Hélio Castroneves that have been around for years so I’m trying to play catch-up. But at the same time, how comfortable I am around this place is very high.”