New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin is leaving Supercars to make a fulltime switch to IndyCar.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McLaughlin will race for Team Penske in 2021, joining Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Simon Pagenaud in the team's four car, full-season line-up.
McLaughlin has won the last three Supercars titles driving for DJR Team Penske, after joining them in 2017.
Despite just eight full seasons in the Australian touring car category he's fourth on the all-time wins list with 56 career victories and second on the all-time list with 76 career poles.
"I'm so excited for the opportunity to take the next step in my career and compete against some of the best drivers in the world in the IndyCar series," McLaughlin said.
"The last four years racing for DJR Team Penske has been amazing. I want to thank every single person on the team, and everyone that has helped me reach this point in my career. I wouldn't be in position to continue to chase my dream without the hard work of so many people along the way.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of joining one of the most iconic motorsports programs of all time - Team Penske's IndyCar team. I wish the 2021 season would begin tomorrow."
Ready for a new chapter - thank you to the entire group at DJR Team Penske for allowing me to show what I could do. This opportunity wouldn’t have happened with the people around me. Onwards and upwards starting this weekend! https://t.co/F7Kplp25hn
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) October 24, 2020
Team Penske has also announced today that it will not return to compete in the Supercars Championship for the 2021 season.
The team's exit concludes an incredibly successful six-year run in Supercars competition. Since joining forces with Dick Johnson Racing to form DJR Team Penske (DJRTP) in 2015, the team has earned 56 wins, 62 poles and six championships, including three-consecutive driver's titles with McLaughlin.
Team Penske will assist team co-owners Dick Johnson and Ryan Story with the transition as they prepare for the 2021 Supercars season. The team is expected to announce its plans for next season, including a 2021 driver lineup, in the near future.
"We have enjoyed an incredible six seasons competing in the Supercars series with DJR Team Penske," team owner Roger Penske said.
"Partnering with Dick Johnson and Ryan Story to form DJR Team Penske was an incredible experience that produced success on the track and in the boardroom. We have built so many lasting partnerships and friendships, and competing in Supercars has certainly helped strengthen our brand and our business in Australia and New Zealand.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Unfortunately, with the challenges we have faced in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to readjust our business initiatives for 2021 and beyond.
"We want to thank Dick Johnson, Ryan Story, Fabian Coulthard and all of our team members for their hard work and dedication as we reestablished a championship organization together over the last six years. I know that Dick, Ryan and the team will continue to build on that success moving forward."
"I want to thank Roger and the entire Penske organization for all they've done for our team over the last six years," Dick Johnson said.
"While we hate to see them go, we understand the tough business decisions that have to be made. We've worked together over the last six years to build a team that has become the benchmark for performance both on and off the track. With the assistance of Roger and Team Penske we will be in position to build on that success.
"With the full support of Ford Australia, Ford Performance, Shell V-Power and all of our great partners, our team will continue to be a leader in Supercars racing."
