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“One Race a Year Where I Probably Miss Home”- Roger Penske’s Star Opens Up On Mount Panorama Wildcard Ambitions With SVG

Scott McLaughlin watches the Bathurst 1000 from America these days, and it clearly stings a little. He knows what winning at Mount Panorama feels like, and he knows who he’d want next to him if he ever went back. The…

By Dipti Sood · Essentially Sports

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 4:44 AM

Key Things to Know

Scott McLaughlin expressed a desire to contest the Bathurst 1000 as a wildcard teammate with Shane van Gisbergen.
Both New Zealand drivers previously won the Bathurst 1000 and claimed multiple Supercars championships before moving to American racing.
Van Gisbergen's full-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule presents a major scheduling hurdle due to autumn race clashes.

The Story in 60 Seconds

IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin revealed his ambition to enter the Bathurst 1000 as a wildcard alongside former Supercars rival Shane van Gisbergen. Speaking on SPEED with Harvick and Buxton, McLaughlin shared that returning to Mount Panorama alongside van Gisbergen is an ultimate dream, noting it is the one race each year where he misses home.

Significant logistical obstacles remain due to their current American racing commitments. McLaughlin drives for Team Penske in IndyCar, while van Gisbergen competes full-time for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, whose late-season schedule conflicts directly with the traditional October staging of the Australian endurance race.

Read the full article on Essentially Sports