Scott McLaughlin recently shared his thoughts on the Shane van Gisbergen Indy 500 prospects, highlighting how the accomplished NASCAR Cup Series driver from New Zealand might fare if he enters American open-wheel racing’s most famous event. McLaughlin and van Gisbergen, both hailing from New Zealand, previously competed fiercely against each other in the Supercars arena before launching their own successful careers in the United States.
During their Supercars days, McLaughlin became a dominant force with three straight championships from 2018 to 2020. Upon his move to IndyCar with Team Penske, Shane van Gisbergen stepped up to claim two consecutive Supercars titles before following his own U.S.-based journey into NASCAR, eventually racing for Trackhouse Racing. The two have since continued to shine—McLaughlin in IndyCar and van Gisbergen making headlines on the road and street circuits of the Cup Series in 2025.
New Zealand Rivalry Translates to American Racing
Both drivers adapted quickly to their new racing series, but their rivalry has taken on new dimensions in the United States. In a recent Speedcafe interview, Scott McLaughlin was quizzed about the likelihood of Shane van Gisbergen taking a shot at the prestigious Indy 500. The possibility of van Gisbergen joining the grid captured attention, especially with his proven versatility and road racing skills in NASCAR.
McLaughlin offered his own perspective on how his former rival from New Zealand might stack up if given the opportunity to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Reflecting on van Gisbergen’s driving ability, he pointed to his adaptability and success in new disciplines while poking fun at SVG’s oval track struggles this year.
“I think he’s a little scared of us on the ovals,”
the Team Penske driver jokingly said.
“He’d be awesome at it. He’s just very diverse with what he does with his racing, and he’d be totally fine. It’d be pretty cool, definitely be pretty cool to see him in IndyCar.”
– Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver
Performance Snapshot: Road Versus Ovals
The difference in performance for Shane van Gisbergen between road and oval tracks stood out through the 2025 NASCAR season. He won four out of five road and street races and placed sixth in the fifth event. Yet, on ovals, SVG has encountered a learning curve—his top finish so far was fourteenth at Richmond. This duality inspired McLaughlin’s light-hearted comment about being
“scared of us on the ovals,”
underlining the unique challenge posed by Indy 500’s high-speed oval racing.
While van Gisbergen considers his options for tackling IndyCar’s epic event, McLaughlin himself is no stranger to the Indy 500’s pressure. In a recent running of the race, he suffered a setback by crashing out during the pre-race pace lap while warming his tires—a harsh reminder of how demanding the iconic event can be, even for experienced drivers.
Rumors and Cross-Series Speculation Continue
Speculation about drivers trying other racing series has become a frequent talking point within motorsports. After the 2025 IndyCar Grand Prix of Portland, rumors swirled regarding Scott McLaughlin possibly switching to NASCAR. Commentator Townsend Bell raised the idea while discussing the future lineup for Team Penske’s IndyCar program in 2026.
McLaughlin addressed the rumors directly on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, clarifying his current intentions and goals. He remains committed to his IndyCar ambitions while still expressing admiration for the idea of a NASCAR cameo if the right opportunity were to arise. In his own words:
“Honestly, I just don’t think as much as it would be cool and stuff, it’s not just on my radar right now. There’s too many things, especially after the year we’ve had,”
Scott McLaughlin said. – Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver
Competitive Respect Between Former Supercars Rivals
Despite the speculation, McLaughlin didn’t hesitate to express respect for Shane van Gisbergen’s achievements in the United States. Having battled each other in Australia, McLaughlin suggested he could make a strong challenge if they competed in NASCAR under the right conditions, but he made clear his happiness for van Gisbergen’s continued rise.
“I definitely think I could give Shane a run for his money. But at the same time, I’m very happy for Shane. He’s so detailed, driven, and very, very fast,”
McLaughlin added. – Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver
For both drivers, 2025 has brought its share of highs and challenges. McLaughlin’s IndyCar campaign began with a pole at St. Petersburg and ended with two podiums in Milwaukee and Nashville, though the season in between was marked by inconsistency and misfortune. For SVG, the contrasting results on road courses and ovals continue to shape conversations about his ability to succeed at events like the Indy 500.
Looking Ahead for Both Drivers and Their Fans
As discussions continue about Shane van Gisbergen Indy 500 prospects, the mutual respect and engaging rivalry between McLaughlin and van Gisbergen keep motorsports fans intrigued. Their journeys from New Zealand rivals to headline-makers in America’s premier racing leagues highlight both the potential and unpredictability of switching disciplines.
For now, McLaughlin’s assessment adds fuel to the ongoing buzz about whether SVG will take on Indianapolis, and if he does, whether he can replicate the road course success he’s achieved in NASCAR. Their intertwined stories, along with speculation about their future racing decisions, remain a captivating focus as the racing calendar continues to unfold.
