McLaughlin Roars Back: Team Penske Eyes Redemption in 2026 IndyCar Season
St. Petersburg, FL – Scott McLaughlin ignited Team Penske’s 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign with a dominant qualifying performance, securing the NTT P1 Award for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This victory marks a significant step forward for the team after a challenging 2025 season.
A Fresh Start for Team Penske
The 2025 season was marred by internal turmoil for Team Penske, including the dismissal of executives following a rules infraction. McLaughlin, driving the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, acknowledged the team’s determination to overcome past setbacks. He secured his 12th career pole, and his third at St. Petersburg, with a lap time of 1 minute, .5426 of a second.
“Everybody knows the slog we went through last year, so to start on this note is fantastic,” McLaughlin stated.
Front Row Showdown: Ericsson and Hauger Challenge McLaughlin
Joining McLaughlin on the front row is Marcus Ericsson, piloting the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda for Andretti Global. Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, is looking to regain his competitive edge after finishing 15th and 20th in the standings in the past two seasons.
A surprise contender, rookie Dennis Hauger, qualified third in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda, delivering a standout performance for Dale Coyne Racing. He became the first driver to qualify for the Firestone Fast Six in their series debut since Christian Lundgaard in 2021.
Palou and Malukas: Championship Contenders in the Mix
Reigning series champion Alex Palou will start from fourth in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, aiming to defend his 2025 St. Petersburg victory. David Malukas, new to Team Penske, qualified fifth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, demonstrating a strong start to his tenure with the team.
Experienced Drivers Face Qualifying Struggles
Several established drivers experienced difficulties during qualifying. Pato O’Ward will start eighth, while six-time series champion Scott Dixon will begin the race in 16th after a slide during his final qualifying lap. Two-time champion Josef Newgarden faces an uphill battle, starting 23rd.
Grosjean Returns with Dale Coyne Racing
Romain Grosjean makes his return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Dale Coyne Racing, qualifying sixth in the No. 18 BMax Honda after a one-year hiatus.
FAQ
Q: How many career poles does Scott McLaughlin have?
A: Scott McLaughlin has 12 career poles.
Q: What challenges did Team Penske face in the 2025 season?
A: Team Penske experienced internal issues and a lack of race wins in 2025.
Q: Who is the rookie making a strong debut in St. Petersburg?
A: Dennis Hauger is the rookie who qualified third, delivering a standout performance for Dale Coyne Racing.
Q: Where can I find the full qualifying results?
A: Qualifying Results
Did you know? Scott McLaughlin shares the all-time poles record with Will Power at 64, including 11 in INDYCAR.
Pro Tip: Maintain an eye on rookie Dennis Hauger – his qualifying performance suggests he could be a contender throughout the season.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday at noon ET on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls.
What are your predictions for the race? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
