McLaughlin Ends Long Winless Run as IndyCar Closes 2026 Season at Laguna Seca

Scott McLaughlin returned to victory lane for the first time in 36 races, winning the NTT IndyCar Series season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, by 1.37 seconds. The win capped a season that had seen the New Zealander collect podium finishes without a victory since 2024.

McLaughlin set the tone in Saturday qualifying by taking pole position, then dominated Sunday’s 95-lap race, leading 87 of them. He only surrendered the top spot briefly during pit-stop cycles. After a lap-four incident in which rookie of the year Dennis Hauger was struck from behind by Sting Ray Robb brought out a caution, McLaughlin controlled the restart and managed the pace from there.

Speaking with Fox Corporation‘s FOX Sports broadcast after the race, McLaughlin noted a personal milestone alongside the professional one: it was the first time his young daughter had watched him win.

“My little girl hasn’t seen me win yet, and now she has,” McLaughlin said. “So, dad’s coming home with a trophy, baby. Let’s go!”

Kyle Kirkwood crossed the line second and, more significantly, locked up runner-up position in the final championship standings. Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren finished sixth and teammate Pato O’Ward took 10th, leaving Kirkwood’s place secure. Kirkwood closed the year with 545 points, two wins, 220 laps led, 10 top-fives and 15 top-10s — a clear step up from his fourth-place, 433-point campaign in 2025, though still 86 points behind champion Alex Palou.

Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi delivered a surprise third, his only top-five result of a difficult 2026 season that left him 15th in the standings with 307 points. For a team beset by wrecks and mechanical trouble all year, the podium offered a useful data point as it turns its attention to the 2027 car.

Before the celebrations wrapped, Palou and team owner Chip Ganassi were presented with a championship ring and the series trophy, marking Palou’s fifth title.

What to watch

• 2027 driver market moves, including Mick Schumacher taking over the No. 60 seat from Felix Rosenqvist, who joins Arrow McLaren alongside Scott Dixon.
• Conor Daly’s return to the grid with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
• Further seat announcements, including resolution of Scott Dixon’s Chip Ganassi Racing deal.
• Offseason development stories as teams — including Ed Carpenter Racing — build toward the 2027 opener.

Source: original release