Scott McLaughlin helped Team Penske put memories of a tough 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season into the rearview mirror Saturday by starting 2026 with the NTT P1 Award for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
New Zealand native McLaughlin (photo, top) earned his 12th career pole and third in the last five years on this 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit, leading the Firestone Fast Six with a best lap of 1 minute, .5426 of a second in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet.
SEE: Qualifying Results
Team Penske underwent a turbulent 2025 season, marked by the dismissal of three team executives after an illegal modification of a part was discovered before the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The team…