ADVENT CALENDAR DOOR 3 – Three Magnificent Scott McLaughlin Comeback Drives
Scott McLaughlin in his Indycar career thus far has been known to be a swashbuckling racer who has an absolute nerve to send it and always overtakes many drivers throughout his races. This has resulted in quite a list of amazing comeback drives from the Kiwi. Let’s dive into some of his best.
2021 Texas Motor Speedway
McLaughlin’s first comeback drive of note came on May 1st 2021 at the 2021 Texas speedway in the Genesys 300. Having started in the midpack in P15 McLaughlin eventually climbed his way up to P2 by the chequered flag.
He battled his compatriot Dixon for the victory right at the end of the race but Dixon defensively held firm even through lapped traffic to take the win only by a quarter of a second.
This was McLaughlin’s first ever podium finish in which he did in spectacular style in his rookie season in Indycar and its absolute credit to him that he even got within touching distance of the win.
Having started P15, he slowly made his way through the field taking minimal risks as others paid the price for. He got a slightly lucky break on strategy after the caution for Bourdais’s crash but took full advantage and overall this was a tex-book drive from McLaughlin in his debut oval race. Joining the select few to podium in their debut oval race.
2024 Nashville
Another amazing comeback from Scott McLaughlin was his comeback drive to the top 5 in the 2024 Music City GP at the Nashville Super Speedway.
After a 9 place grid drop in qualifying setting his weekend back, McLaughlin turned it around on race day. Using the overcut strategy on a chunk of the field, a timely caution allowed the #3 Penske machine to vault up the order.
Even with a few moments of nerves towards the end of the race, he was able to bring the car home in P5 marking the fifth top 5 finish on an oval in 2024.
He won the biggest mover award for the day being up 13 places from his starting position. McLaughlin’s excelled in ovals throughout 2024 and never finished below P8.
This race result allowed McLaughlin to seal a 2nd consecutive P3 in the driver’s standings.
Iowa 2025
Definitely McLaughlin’s most accomplished Indycar comeback through the field took place at none other than an another oval, this time a short oval in Iowa.
After starting P27, due to a qualifying crash, McLaughlin made an electric start to the grand prix overtaking others and avoiding the couple incidents. The #3 Penske had moved by the end of lap 75 up to P14, being up 13 positions from his starting spot.
The charge didnt stop there though. McLaughlin continued to climb and whilst others couldn’t keep it out the barriers, he continuing to dance with the limits of the race track but effectively.
Across the race distance, his pace in the light of being in plenty of traffic was immense and by the end of the race had caught up with his Penske teamates just missing out on an incredible podium finish.
In a turbulent time for the Penske team, this drive by McLaughlin proved that in the right conditions they could definitely still win a race that season as their pace was too good not to.
Although McLaughlin didn’t end up standing on top of the rostrom in the rest of 2025, his teamates were able to notch up a victory each. McLaughlin ended a consecutive P3 podium finish to end the year with a flourish.
Final thoughts
These are only some examples of McLaughlin’s immense overtaking and racecraft. Due to his qualifying prowess we don’t see this side of him as often but when we do its worth the wait with some box office moments of brilliance.
Will we see this return on the usual consistent basis in 2026 that was absent in 2025? I truly believe we will see but I am sure we will see a response from a driver that has the ability to win an Indycar title in the future with the right conditions.
written by Taegan Hignett / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
