Scott McLaughlin broke a two-year, 35-race winless streak by securing victory in the IndyCar season finale at Laguna Seca. Starting from pole in the #3 Team Penske Chevrolet, the 33-year-old New Zealander maintained control throughout the 95-lap race, winning by 1.3739 seconds over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile natural terrain road course.

 

ECR’s Alexander Rossi finished third, marking his first podium since 2024 (Laguna Seca). Felix Rosenqvist took fourth in his final race for Meyer Shank Racing, with Team Penske’s David Malukas finishing fifth. By finishing second, Kirkwood also secured the runner-up position in the championship.

 

McLaughlin led the field to the green flag, but a caution was issued shortly after when Dale Coyne Racing rookie Dennis Hauger was hit from behind by Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Sting Ray Robb in Turn 6. Robb received a 10-second stop-and-hold penalty for avoidable contact. The race resumed on Lap 4, with McLaughlin briefly losing control before extending his lead over Palou.

 

By Lap 10, McLaughlin had a 1.6479s lead over Palou, as Scott Dixon was the first to pit, switching from harder primary tires to softer alternates. ECR’s Christian Rasmussen pitted the following lap. Several drivers began their first pit stops, including Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing rookie Mick Schumacher on lap 17. Palou pitted from second the next lap, along with Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Team Penske’s David Malukas.

 

McLaughlin pitted from the lead on Lap 20, along with Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood and teammate Will Power. Rossi, having started on harder tires, took the race lead by Lap 21. He pitted on Lap 25, returning the lead to McLaughlin. Rossi re-entered in fifth. After the first 30 laps, the top five were McLaughlin, Palou, Kirkwood, Rossi, and Malukas.

 

On Lap 31, Kirkwood overtook Palou for second at Turn 2, trailing McLaughlin by 4.3s. Rossi then passed Palou at Turn 3. Due to a sudden loss of rear grip, Palou pitted from fourth at the end of the lap, switching from harder primary tires to softer alternates.

By Lap 35, McLaughlin led Kirkwood by 4.0303s. McLaughlin’s lead decreased to 3s over Kirkwood on Lap 40, with Rossi 3.8s back in third. The top three pitted on Lap 44, giving the lead to Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist, who pitted the next lap.

 

McLaughlin regained the lead by Lap 47, with Kirkwood 2.7s behind in second.

At Lap 50, McLaughlin’s lead increased to 3.4637s over Kirkwood, with Rossi still in third, 4.4s back. Kirkwood edged closer over the next 10 laps, reducing McLaughlin’s lead to 3s by Lap 60. With 30 laps remaining, the top five were McLaughlin, Kirkwood, Rossi, Malukas, and Rosenqvist.

 

Kirkwood reduced McLaughlin’s lead to 1.6s with 27 laps to go. The top five pitted on Lap 70, with McLaughlin maintaining his lead. Kirkwood, on softer alternates, was 1.5s behind. By Lap 80, McLaughlin led Kirkwood by 1.5619s. On Lap 85, Kirkwood fell slightly back to 1.8993s from McLaughlin’s leading pace. With six laps remaining, the only position change was Rosenqvist overtaking Malukas at Turn 2 to secure fourth.