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Scott McLaughlin leads the field for the 2026 IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca

9 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 7:46 AM

Last updated Sep 9, 2026

Scott McLaughlin leads the field for the 2026 IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca
Summary

The 2026 IndyCar Series season concludes today with the Mission Grand Prix Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Scott McLaughlin holds the pole position for the 95-lap race, while already crowned series champion Alex Palou starts second. The race carries additional stakes for three drivers fighting for second place in the final standings. Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard, and Pato O'Ward enter the event separated by only four points. Lundgaard begins the race from 11th after serving a six-position grid penalty for engine changes, while Kirkwood starts sixth and O'Ward starts 12th. Television coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox, with the green flag expected at 3 p.m. Forecasts indicate clear, sunny conditions for the final event of the year.

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By the Numbers
  • •Scott McLaughlin starts on the pole position for the 95-lap race.
  • •Alex Palou has already secured the 2026 IndyCar season points championship.
  • •Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard, and Pato O'Ward compete for second place in the final standings.
  • •Christian Lundgaard faces a six-position grid penalty for excessive engine changes.
  • •The race coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox with the green flag at 3 p.m.
Latest Updates
  • 7:46 AMYahoo Sports — Scott McLaughlin Smokes the Field at Laguna Seca
  • 1:53 AMYahoo Sports — Scott McLaughlin Dominates Laguna Seca to Close Out IndyCar Season
  • 3:58 AMYahoo Sports — Scott McLaughlin wins IndyCar race at Laguna Seca in 2026, results
  • 9:53 PMRacer — McLaughlin closes out IndyCar season on a high with crushing Laguna Seca win
  • 9:32 PMYahoo Sports — Official race results: 2026 IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca
  • 9:32 PMMotorsport.com — Official race results: 2026 IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca
  • 9:25 PMMotorsport.com — Scott McLaughlin ends two-year IndyCar drought with Laguna Seca victory
  • 4:01 PMYahoo Sports — Who won the IndyCar race at Laguna Seca? Leaderboard, live updates, Scott McLaughin starts on pole
What they're saying
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Scott McLaughlin now has eight career IndyCar wins, winning from pole in a straightforward race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. McLaughlin hadn't won a race since the penultimate round of the 2024 season at Milwaukee, so it was a big victory for the Kiwi. Kyle Kirkwood finished second, securing the runner-up spot in the championship standings. Alexander Rossi placed third for his first ...Keep reading

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Scott McLaughlin ended a two-year, 35-race win drought with victory in the IndyCar season finale at Laguna Seca. After starting on pole in the #3 Team Penske Chevrolet, the 33-year-old New Zealander remained in control throughout the 95-lap contest en route to a 1.3739s victory over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile natural terrain road course. ECR’s Alexander ...Keep reading

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Scott McLaughlin ended the 2026 IndyCar season in style. The Team Penske driver dominated the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, leading 87 of 95 laps to capture his first victory in 36 races. McLaughlin started from pole and never let the field seriously challenge him for the…

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