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Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images
Kiwi driver Scott McLaughlin celebrates after winning a third Supercars title.
Supercar champion Scott McLaughlin has been confirmed to leave the Australian championship to pursue a career in the United States.
McLaughlin, who will debut in this weekend’s IndyCar series finale on the streets of St. Petersburg in Florida, will not return to defend his crown in 2021.
Instead, it will be part of a four-car Team Penske lineup for next year’s IndyCar series.
SKY SPORTS
Scott McLaughlin wins third consecutive Supercars title.
“I am very 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,” said McLaughlin, in a statement confirming that American billionaire Roger Penske is also ending his career. . partnership with Supercars.
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“The last four years competing for DJR Team Penske have been incredible. I want to thank everyone on the team and everyone who has helped me get to this point in my career.
“I would not be in a position to continue pursuing my dream without the hard work of so many people along the way.
“I look forward to the challenge of joining one of the most iconic motorsports programs of all time – Team Penske’s IndyCar team. Hopefully the 2021 season will start tomorrow. “
Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images
Scott McLaughlin pulls away from SuperCars to start an IndyCar career.
Penske, a global motorsports giant who has won a record 18 Indy 500 races as a team owner, ventured Down Under in association with Dick Johnson Racing in 2015.
The renowned DJR Team Penske scored 56 victories, with McLaughlin winning the last three championships, as well as the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
McLaughlin leaves Supercars as one of the best drivers in championship history even though he has only raced in eight full seasons.
The 27-year-old ranks fourth on the list of races won in the championship with 56 victories, while his 76 pole positions place him second overall on that account.
The New Zealander will join Australian Will Power, along with Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud, in the 2021 Penske Indycar team lineup.
Dick Johnson Racing has announced that it will compete in the 2021 Supercars championship under its own insignia with co-owners Dick Johnson and Ryan Story at the helm.
Fabian Coulthard is expected to remain on the Ford team, with a replacement for McLaughlin to be named in the “near future.”
