CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Scott McLaughlin earned his first victory of the 2024 IndyCar season at Barber Motorsports Park, marking back-to-back wins in the Children's of Alabama Grand Prix for McLaughlin. The victory is also the fifth of McLaughlin's IndyCar career.
Q: What does this weekend's win mean to you?
A: It's unreal, just to get your first win of the season is special and to be in the fight for the championship. There's more to come. I think we've got a really strong team. I'm super proud of everyone and the way we work together and came in with a fast car and used it to our advantage. That's something you don't get too often in IndyCar, where you can control a race weekend, pole, race win, fastest lap and we did just that and I'm really proud of everyone.
Q: What does getting a win this early in the season do for your team?
A: I think it's just a huge boost, a confidence boost we can take to other events this year. We're a race winner this year and as we know it's so hard to do in IndyCar. It's for the whole organization in Team Penske, whether that's for NASCAR as well and sports car, we're a big community out in Mooresville. Super proud to represent them at the highest level and be able to get that done. Hopefully that carries some moment here as we head into May, which is our biggest event of the year.
Q: Looking ahead to May, you have the Indy road course race and then the Indy500, how do you prepare?
A: It's mentally challenging. It's our Super Bowl so we know what's ahead for us with media, sponsor engagements and the race track itself. It's just so exciting this time of year for us and hopefully we're one of the lucky 33 that get to qualify for the event and race on Memorial Day Weekend. You count yourself very lucky, this will be my fourth Indy 500 if I qualify for it, which I'm sure we will. It's just a proud moment to represent Roger (Penske) there. It's his house now and it's super cool to go there in a Team Penske car.