McLaughlin Poised for Daytona Debut with Porsche Penske Motorsport
Scott McLaughlin, the Penske IndyCar standout, is set to join Porsche Penske Motorsport’s lineup for the upcoming IMSA SportsCar Championship at the Daytona 24 Hours in January 2026. This significant step was confirmed by team principal Jonathan Diuguid, who noted McLaughlin’s participation in the three-day preseason test at Daytona, commencing today.
The seven-time IndyCar race winner will team up with fellow IndyCar competitor Josef Newgarden during the test session. Newgarden was instrumental in the success of the #7 Porsche 963 entry at Daytona in 2024, where the car clinched victory. Diuguid referred to McLaughlin’s test as “the first step” toward his inclusion in the race lineup, although he emphasized that no formal decisions have been made yet.
“We have found that a four-driver lineup offers a strategic advantage at Daytona, which is particularly taxing due to the high car count and consistent traffic,” Diuguid stated. He highlighted the mental challenges posed by the race conditions, noting that the feedback from drivers underscored the increased cognitive demands compared to the Le Mans 24 Hours.
This year, the #7 Porsche 963 team comprised Felipe Nasr, Dane Cameron, and endurance driver Matt Campbell, with Newgarden’s fourth driver role contributing to their victory. For the current test, alongside McLaughlin and Newgarden, the lineup includes Nasr, Campbell, and Julien Andlauer, with some regulars unavailable due to commitments, including Laurens Vanthoor, who is competing in the FIA GT World Cup.
Looking ahead, Diuguid revealed that the team anticipates a reduced lineup for the upcoming season, moving from eight regulars to six across their LMDh programs. This shift comes after Porsche’s withdrawal from the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship.
Final decisions regarding the 2026 driver lineup will likely be postponed until Porsche’s annual Night of Champions event on November 29. Meanwhile, multiple driver changes are underway; Mathieu Jaminet, who secured the IMSA drivers’ title alongside Campbell, is set to leave Porsche, reportedly to join WEC newcomer Genesis, the luxury brand of Hyundai.
