IndyCar commitment makes Scott McLaughlin reject Bathurst 12 Hour opportunity

Team Penske star Scott McLaughlin raced in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. for JMR at the Suzuka circuit in Japan earlier this year. The Kiwi had the opportunity to race in the Bathurst 12 Hour, but had to reject the same due to the IndyCar responsibilities.

After the 2025 IndyCar season ended, Scott McLaughlin took to the land of the rising sun to participate in the Intercontinental GT Challenge race at Suzuka. The Kiwi driver raced for JMR and partnered with Nicky Catsburg and Alexander Sims. McLaughlin was able to finish on the podium at the Suzuka 1000 and highly rated the circuit.

The Team Penske driver reportedly got the opportunity to race at the opening race of the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge, i.e., the Bathurst 12 Hours. The New Zealander was recently questioned whether he will be racing at the race, as he suggested that the IndyCar commitment won't allow him to race the same.

“Unfortunately not,” he told Sportscar365 when asked about doing the Bathurst 12 Hour. “[It’s] just the way that it worked out. I would love to, and probably had the opportunity to, but it’s just the way it’s sort of panned out with my calendar with testing in IndyCar, which is obviously first and foremost,” said Scott McLaughlin (via Sportscar365)

“But I’m looking at a couple [of other] events throughout the year. I’d love to, but first and foremost, my IndyCar deal comes first. But JMR, they’re a class team and I’d love to do more racing with them,” added McLaughlin

Rolex 24 race at Daytona - Source: Getty

Scott McLaughlin has participated in the Bathurst 12 Hours for the last couple of years in the McLaren 650S GT3 and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Earlier this year, McLaughlin also drove the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R at the Rolex 24 at Daytona for Trackhouse.

---

Scott McLaughlin on the possibility of racing at the Daytona 24 Hours after the test

Scott McLaughlin was called up to Penske Porsche Motorsports to test at Daytona ahead of the endurance race next January. Both McLaughlin and his teammate Josef Newgarden took the Porsche 963 around the iconic circuit for the test, and it was the first time the Kiwi drove a GTP class car.

Suggesting how the decision to race at the 24 Hours of Daytona rests in Porsche and Roger Penske's hands, he said

“It’s really up to them. The best thing here is that I have these opportunities like this. I’ve done the Corvette stuff in Suzuka and I’ll drive anything. It’s really up to ‘The Captain’ and Porsche,” (via Sportscar365)

"When he says, ‘We need you for the test to fill in and do a couple of things,’ it’s nice to help them with that and that’s the beauty of Team Penske, just having your fingers in a lot of pies. Ultimately one day, for sure, I’d love to run outright and would love to have a crack at it. At the the same time when the opportunity comes at the right time, I’ll take it,” added McLaughlin

McLaughlin has only driven the LMP2 and GTD Pro class cars in the Daytona 24 Hours previously and would be racing in the GTP class if he races for Porsche in January for the opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.