Two-time defending Australian Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has completed his test in Indycars in Florida.
Scott McLaughlin Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McLaughlin, who captured his second consecutive Supercars title this year, completed more than 140 laps in a Team Penske Cheverolet at the Sebring Motor Speedway.
The New Zealander, who drive for DJR Team Penske in Australia, had some high powered help as he climbed into a top-line single-seater for the first time.
The team's three IndyCar Series drivers, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power were on hand for support and direction.
The 26-year-old native turned more than 140 laps on the tough Sebring road course as he quickly got up to speed and adapted to the handling of the open-wheel machine.
"Unreal, the car is a beast," said McLaughlin. "It's everything I dreamt of. I'm so thankful to Roger, Tim and Team Penske to be able to come over here and run an IndyCar. It's a dream come true."
"It's been a big day. 141 laps, the neck is pretty sore. We held on and did a long run at the end, and I got a feel for everything. Qualifying runs, race runs, long runs, fuel loads and pit exits so it was really cool."
Team Penske advisor, four-time Indianapolis 500 champion and Inycar legend Rick Mears was also at Sebring to help McLaughlin during the test.
After establishing a new Supercars series single-season record with 18 victories - including a win at the famed Bathurst 1000 race - in 2019, McLaughlin will return behind the wheel of the No. 17 Shell V-Power Ford Mustang for DJR Team Penske in 2020.
-Team Penske