Scott McLaughlin has an intense determination to conquer the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. That was evident in his meticulous preparation for last year’s race, driving the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet.
“I think my racing career isn’t complete until I win this race,” McLaughlin said. “I just genuinely want to win this race out of everything on this planet. Even more than Bathurst 1000. For me it’s everything.”
Seeking every possible advantage, McLaughlin reached out to Simon Pagenaud – the 2016 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and 2019 Indy 500 winner – for advice on mastering the nuances of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Pagenaud hasn’t raced in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since July 2023, when he had a violent, barrel-rolling crash at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course while driving for Meyer Shank Racing.
Their conversation, rooted in Pagenaud’s winning experience with Team Penske, proved invaluable.
“I really enjoy working with him (Pagenaud), because it sort of brought it back to the Speedway, brought him back to something he loves,” McLaughlin said. “He’s really intense too, like, his preparation is next level, but it’s bringing the next level for me.”
The results spoke for themselves. McLaughlin not only demonstrated his growth but also made history in the process. He led a stunning Team Penske front-row sweep, the first time a team accomplished that feat since Penske in 1988, by capturing the NTT P1 Award with a record-setting four-lap qualifying average of 234.220 mph — the fastest pole speed in Indy 500 history.
Pagenaud admitted he was in Virginia on the provisional qualifying day last year with his family, but broke away to see McLaughlin qualify. He noticed something that could help the pole run, so he phoned McLaughlin with advice.
It worked.
“He’s such a great student because he doesn’t take anything the wrong way,” Pagenaud said. “He has no ego, and he believes in what you tell him. He believes in it so strongly that he just does it. And he has this ability that’s extraordinary.”
The bond between them has blossomed into more than just a mentor-mentee relationship. They have a deep-rooted camaraderie built on mutual respect, shared values, and a love for the sport. The working relationship is closer this year, as Pagenaud has been in the Team Penske pits since practice started last week to help McLaughlin instead of being at the track just on Race Week.
For McLaughlin, who admits to being a high-intensity personality, Pagenaud’s composed and cerebral approach offers critical balance. Pagenaud, who was raised with a focus on hard work, meticulous note-taking and performance optimization, has become a calming influence for McLaughlin, particularly during the grueling Month of May leading up to the Indy 500.
“If you’re at 100% intensity level the whole time, you’re going to burn yourself out pretty quick,” McLaughlin said.
Pagenaud helps manage that intensity, sending focused messages each morning to help his protégé stay mentally sharp and composed.
Pagenaud’s own journey took a dramatic turn after the harrowing crash at Mid-Ohio, halting his racing career. While navigating recovery and family life, he wasn’t actively seeking a new role in racing. But when McLaughlin called asking for guidance, Pagenaud didn’t hesitate — not because he needed something to do, but because of the character of the person asking.
“I wouldn’t do this with any other driver because I appreciate the values that he has as a person, as a human being,” Pagenaud said. “He has immense talents. I wish I had some of his talents. If you could put what I know and what he knows together, to me, that makes a really amazing package.”
Their collaboration is aided by a shared familiarity with Team Penske, as McLaughlin’s crew is essentially the same group Pagenaud worked with during his Indy 500 victory and championship run. That continuity makes the transition seamless and the emotional stakes higher.
Pagenaud feels a different kind of pressure in this new role.
“It’s obviously quite different,” Pagenaud said. “I’m more stressed watching than I was driving. It’s tough to send your friend to battle like that and take the responsibility that you might tell him something that could put him in danger.”
Still, the trust between them runs deep. McLaughlin respects Pagenaud’s input, and Pagenaud knows he’s advising someone who’s not only talented but also profoundly professional. And behind it all, there’s a sense of gratitude — from Pagenaud, for the continued support of Team Penske after his accident and for the chance to still make an impact in the sport he loves.
In many ways, their partnership is more than just about racing – it’s about resilience, legacy, and the quiet strength of friendship.
“I’m trying to put myself in his shoes,” Pagenaud said. “Obviously, driving into this track is always very emotional, even so now, because I’m very nostalgic of the great success I’ve had. I’m very grateful again. That makes for emotions to come out a bit. But I’m also very focused on trying to think about all the details I used to think about.
“When he goes out there, I’m trying to think exactly how I was thinking. And it’s kind of reliving my life through his life. It’s weird, but it allows me to. He gets it, and I don’t have to force it. I just talk to him like I would talk to myself, and then he drinks it. He drinks like a fire hose. He can drink a lot. He’s pretty impressive.”