McLaughlin Poised for IMSA Debut at Daytona 24 Hours
Scott McLaughlin, the seven-time IndyCar race winner, is set to make his debut with Porsche Penske Motorsport’s IMSA SportsCar Championship team at the upcoming Daytona 24 Hours on January 24-25, 2026. Following his nomination to drive the two Porsche 963 LMDh entries during the three-day IMSA pre-season test starting November 14, McLaughlin’s inclusion is viewed by team managing director Jonathan Diuguid as a promising first step towards this goal.
McLaughlin, who has previously competed at Daytona in LMP2 and GT Daytona Pro categories, will join fellow IndyCar competitor Josef Newgarden at the test. Newgarden was instrumental in the winning efforts of the #7 Porsche entry at Daytona in 2024.
“This is the first step in that direction for Scott and Josef,” Diuguid explained, while clarifying that no final decisions about the driver lineup for the Daytona 24 Hours have been made. Diuguid noted that Porsche and Penske are considering a return to a four-driver roster per car, reverting from a three-driver configuration used during their title defense earlier this year.
The team’s feedback highlighted the heightened mental stress experienced during race conditions, particularly with the high car count and persistent traffic, which diverges from the dynamics seen at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Porsche’s current lineup for the weekend includes full-season drivers Felipe Nasr, Matt Campbell, and Julien Andlauer, with additional considerations for driver availability, particularly with Laurens Vanthoor and Lauren Heinrich committed to the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.
Further team announcements are anticipated during Porsche’s Night of Champions on November 29, where the brand plans to streamline its LMDh roster following its withdrawal from the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship. With only four full-time drivers needed for the 2026 season, several changes are expected as the team positions itself within the competitive landscape.
Additionally, Mathieu Jaminet, who claimed the IMSA drivers’ title alongside Campbell this season, has announced his exit from Porsche, reportedly moving to Genesis Racing, as the lineup continues to evolve ahead of the 2026 season.
