Scott McLaughlin is a driver know for his stellar performances on oval tracks in the NTT IndyCar series. He spoke with the media ahead of this weekends Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
Following the month of May and the NTT IndyCar series’ first race on an oval track with the Indianapolis 500, we return to ovals with Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
Coming back to the World Wide Technology Raceway, McLaughlin is looking to bounce back after 2 less than ideal performances in Detroit and the 500. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he gave his thoughts heading into the weekend.
“I enjoy ovals more and I have to say I do now I think it’s like a such a refreshing change for me in my career and now you know every time I go on an oval I feel really confident“
“It’s my kettle fish and I really enjoy that”
Short track ovals
The World Wide Technology Raceway is a short track oval circuit, with a length of 1.25 miles. This makes it one of the shortest oval tracks on the NTT Indycar calendar
When asked by the media about how he feels about returning to an oval track that is so different to the IMS, McLaughlin said:
“It’s probably the closest that you have on an oval or a short track oval that we have that we go to that it kind of replicates a road course in some ways you know just fast sweeping corners turns three and four and then one and two is tight and twisty”
Fastest Formula News posed a question to McLaughlin, asking if he feels that he has an advantage for this weekend, given his run of form on oval tracks.
“I wouldn’t say a leg up, I just certainly believe from my own personal way that I go about the racing. You know, I feel I can get up to speed a little bit quicker and I understand what I want from the car. I know what I feel and and that’s a big thing”
“I feel like I can really give the feedback back to the guys and girls on the team and make a pretty fast car”
IndyCar under the lights
Unlike Formula 1 and Motogp, IndyCar isn’t known for its night races. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 is the only night race on the 2025 calendar, posing a unique situation for the teams and drivers to adapt to.
When asked if he believes that the different time of day for the race could pose issues for team strategy due to differing temperatures, he said this to Fastest Formula News.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that cold in St Louis. So, I think the biggest thing we’ve probably got to think about that’s probably in the race is if there’s any pop-up thunderstorms or or something like that just because it is summer”
Looking Forward for Team Penske
Team Penske hasn’t won a race in Indycar since the Portland International Raceway in 2024 where his teammate, Will Power, took the top step. McLaughlin was asked by the media about how competitive he feels the series has become.
“Every year it just gets harder and harder. Everyone has got a keen idea on what they’re doing setup wise so it really comes down to who executes the best from not only a driver’s perspective but engineers and strategists”
Scott Mclaughlin looks forward to a familiar track type to bounce back from two less the stellar races results at The 500 and the Streets of Detroit, as he heads into the weekend in 8th position, 147 points adrift of championship leader Alex Palou.
