In his rookie IndyCar season, Scott McLaughlin is finding the wealth of knowledge in the Team Penske garage to be invaluable as he learns the new discipline.
McLaughlin came from a background in Australian Supercars, which demand a vastly different driving style than the high-downforce single seaters he drives now.
Fortunately, he has an incredible set of team-mates from which he can learn all manner of tips and tricks just as he needs them most.
Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden all drive for the illustrious Team Penske and have been more than willing to give advice to the newcomer.
And with over 30 years of IndyCar driving experience, four series championships and two Indy 500 wins, their advice is as good as any that can be given, particularly on the tricky high-speed ovals where the series visits this weekend.
“Invaluable,” was McLaughlin’s response when asked how beneficial his team-mates advice as been.
“It’s the thing that I take very seriously, listen to a lot of their advice. I definitely ask for a lot. I’m in their ear all the time, watching all their footage, looking at all their data, just little things.
“There’s stuff they’re probably hiding from me, but at the same time that’s what racing is all about with teammates. Everyone hides that last little 10th.
“That’s about me trying to find that myself. That’s what motorsport is all about.”
McLaughlin will be looking to utilize his newfound advice and find that last bit of speed this weekend for the double-header from Texas Motor Speedway.
He has tested at the 1.5-mile oval, but has yet to run a race with 23 other cars vying for track position at over 220 mph.
There is only one planned practice session on Saturday afternoon, but even that could be threatened by rain showers that will be in the area.
The two races are scheduled to be run Saturday evening at 19:30 Eastern time and Sunday afternoon at 17:00 Eastern time.
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