Scott McLaughlin brought the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season to a commanding close at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, converting pole position into victory in the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey.
For the Team Penske driver, it was more than a strong finish to the year. The result ended a 35-race winless streak stretching back more than two years to his victory at the Milwaukee Mile in September 2024.
McLaughlin arrived in Monterey determined to change that. He established his intentions in qualifying, narrowly beating Alex Palou to pole position before carrying that speed into Sunday’s race. Around a circuit that punishes hesitation and exposes even the smallest mistake, the No. 3 Chevrolet looked composed from the opening laps.
Controlling the Challenge of Laguna Seca
Laguna Seca rarely allows a driver to settle. Its elevation changes continually shift the balance of the car, while the Corkscrew demands commitment through one of the most recognisable sequences in American motorsport. Tyre management also plays a decisive role as the abrasive surface steadily removes grip.
McLaughlin handled each of those challenges with control.
Rather than allowing the pressure of the moment to shape his race, he dictated its rhythm. The pace was there when he needed it, the pit work supported him and the final stint became a clear demonstration of what Team Penske had been working toward throughout the season.
After more than two years without standing on the top step, McLaughlin did not simply return to Victory Lane. He did so with authority.
Kirkwood and Rossi Complete the Podium
Behind McLaughlin, Kyle Kirkwood finished second for Andretti Global, completing a strong drive in the No. 27 Honda. Alexander Rossi followed in third for Ed Carpenter Racing, securing his first podium since joining the team.
Rossi’s result carried particular significance for an organisation that had spent the season working to turn flashes of speed into complete race weekends. His experience has always made him a measured presence in long, strategic IndyCar races. At Laguna Seca, that experience translated into a result that gave both driver and team something tangible to carry into the off-season.
Palou’s Historic Championship Season
The weekend also served as the final celebration of another historic championship for Alex Palou. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver arrived in Monterey having already secured his fourth consecutive IndyCar crown and fifth overall.
Palou started alongside McLaughlin on the front row but endured a more difficult race than expected. A challenging second stint dropped him away from the fight at the front, and he eventually finished eighth. It was an unusual result at a circuit where he had previously been almost untouchable, but it did little to diminish the scale of his season.
Four consecutive championships place Palou within a rare level of sustained excellence. His ability to combine outright speed with consistency, patience and strategic awareness has made him the defining driver of this IndyCar era. By the time the field arrived in California, the Astor Cup was already his.
That shifted the focus of the finale. The championship may have been settled, but there was still a race to win, a season to complete and momentum to build before the long winter began.
McLaughlin seized that opportunity.
A Final Statement From McLaughlin
The victory provided Team Penske with a decisive final statement and gave the New Zealander a long-awaited reward after a difficult stretch without a win. Droughts can change the way results are viewed, turning every missed opportunity into part of a growing weight. At Laguna Seca, McLaughlin finally removed it.
Held from September 4–6, the event marked the conclusion of the 2026 season and the 29th time Indy cars had raced at the Monterey circuit. Across its 2.238 miles and 11 turns, Laguna Seca once again provided a fitting stage for the final chapter of the year.
One driver arrived as the confirmed champion. Another left having rediscovered the feeling of victory.
As the sun lowered over the Monterey hills and the 2026 season reached its end, McLaughlin stood at the centre of it all. After more than two years of waiting, his return to the top step was emphatic, controlled and fully deserved.
Complete Event Coverage
See the 2026 INDYCAR Finale From Trackside
Explore the complete Laguna Seca photography gallery, including race action, paddock details, the podium and Alex Palou’s championship celebration.
View the Full Photography Gallery Explore All Event Coverage
More From Laguna Seca
