Scott McLaughlin earns Laguna Seca victory to conclude IndyCar season
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 3:44 PM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
Scott McLaughlin secured a victory at the IndyCar season finale held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, marking his first win as a father and his eighth career win overall. Starting from pole, the Team Penske driver led 87 of the 95 laps to end a 35-race winless streak that dated back to 2024. He managed tire degradation on primary hard compounds while holding off a late-race challenge from Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood. This performance helped McLaughlin finish the 2026 season sixth in the championship standings. The win serves as a personal milestone for the 33-year-old New Zealand native, who dedicated the effort to his daughter. Team Penske president Jonathan Diuguid confirmed the result provides a momentum boost for the team heading into the off-season.
- •Scott McLaughlin won the IndyCar season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
- •The win snapped a 35-race winless streak for the Team Penske driver.
- •McLaughlin led 87 of 95 laps after starting from the pole position.
- •The victory marks McLaughlin's first career win since becoming a father.
- •McLaughlin completed the 2026 season ranked sixth in the overall series standings.
- 3:44 PMYahoo Sports — Scott McLaughlin delivers on ‘promise’ to daughter, with Laguna Seca win first as a father
- 3:44 PMMotorsport.com — Scott McLaughlin delivers on ‘promise’ to daughter, with Laguna Seca win first as a father
"Leading 87 of 95 laps from pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to win the IndyCar season finale snapped a 35-race winless streak dating back to 2024, but for Scott McLaughlin, crossing the line first meant something much deeper than the record books. It’s his eighth career win, but first as a father. “A bit of everything, to be honest. I'd say a little bit of relief because I've been ...Keep reading
"The Team Penske driver snapped a 35-race winless streak at Laguna Seca, delivering on a long-awaited promise to his daughter
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 3:44 PMScott McLaughlin delivers on ‘promise’ to daughter, with Laguna Seca win first as a father
The Team Penske driver snapped a 35-race winless streak at Laguna Seca, delivering on a long-awaited promise to his daughter
- Motorsport.comSep 7, 2026, 3:44 PMScott McLaughlin delivers on ‘promise’ to daughter, with Laguna Seca win first as a father
Leading 87 of 95 laps from pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to win the IndyCar season finale snapped a 35-race winless streak dating back to 2024, but for Scott McLaughlin, crossing the line first meant something much deeper than the record books. It’s his eighth career win, but first as a father. “A bit of everything, to be honest. I'd say a little bit of relief because I've been ...Keep reading
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
IndyCar•Sep 7, 2026, 5:55 PMDennis Hauger caps rookie title run with hopes on 2027 IndyCar return
IndyCar•Sep 7, 2026, 5:40 PMFinal 2026 IndyCar championship standings after Laguna Seca
IndyCar•Sep 7, 2026, 3:58 AMScott McLaughlin ends two-year IndyCar drought with Laguna Seca victory
IndyCar•Sep 6, 2026, 11:43 PMAlexander Rossi ends “terrible year” with Laguna Seca IndyCar podium
IndyCar•Sep 6, 2026, 11:10 PMKyle Kirkwood seals career-best IndyCar season with Laguna Seca runner-up
IndyCar•Sep 6, 2026, 10:56 PMDale Coyne Racing wins IndyCar's final Leaders Circle contract