Full Breakdown
Scott McLaughlin Breaks Two-Year Win Drought with Laguna Seca Victory
9/7/2026, 3:01:01 AM
Race Summary
Scott McLaughlin captured the season-ending Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey from pole position in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet. After leading the field to the green flag, he maintained control through a series of pit-stop cycles and cautions, ultimately finishing 1.3739 seconds ahead of Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood. Alexander Rossi completed the podium, while Felix Rosenqvist secured fourth after a late-race pass on David Malukas. The 95-lap, 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course proved decisive for McLaughlin’s comeback.
Background & Context
McLaughlin entered the weekend after a two-year, 35-race win drought that began following his August 2024 victory at the Milwaukee Mile. The drought was highlighted by a 36-race dry spell cited in qualifying coverage, underscoring a slight discrepancy in reported figures. The pole lap of 1 minute 9.1363 seconds also marked Chevrolet’s 250th INDYCAR SERIES pole position, a milestone for the manufacturer.
Data & Statistics
- Race distance: 95 laps (2.238 mi per lap)
- Winning margin: 1.3739 seconds over Kirkwood
- Pole time: 1:09.1363 (McLaughlin)
- Chevrolet milestone: 250th series pole
- Win drought: reported as 35 races (source 1) and 36 races (source 4)
- Fastest lap in qualifying: 1:09.1496 (Alex Palou) – .0142 s behind McLaughlin’s best lap
- Rookie of the Year: Dennis Hauger (despite first-lap incident)
Official Statements & Responses
He praised the performance of the DEX Imaging Chevrolet and highlighted the collective effort of Team Penske, including race engineer Raul Prados.
Reigning champion Alex Palou, who qualified second, remarked that consistency matters less in qualifying than in the race, expressing satisfaction with his front-row start and acknowledging McLaughlin’s strong lap.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the length of McLaughlin’s winless streak: one report cites a 35-race drought, while another references a 36-race dry spell since his last victory. No additional clarification is provided in the available material.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Since the thing left the hauler, this thing has been unreal,” — Scott McLaughlin
- “It’s not the race, so consistency doesn’t matter much,” — Alex Palou, reigning series champion
What’s Next
Looking ahead, McLaughlin hinted at future ambitions, stating he is “ready for 2027,” suggesting a focus on building momentum into the next season.
