"I’m nervous about a couple of things": When Scott McLaughlin expressed concerns about safety in America compared to his homeland

Scott McLaughlin sat down with Jeff Gluck from the Athletic (part of the New York Times) for the iconic 12-question interview which was published on May 25, 2023. It has only been a few years since the Team Penske driver moved to the United States and McLaughlin expressed his concerns about safety when the reporter asked a question.

The 12 Questions is a famous podcast, which is also published by the Athletic wherein a different athlete is asked the same set of questions every week. However, the last question for the athlete is always decided by the one who appeared in the podcast prior to him/her. In Scott McLaughlin's case, it was NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney.

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The question was regarding what the Penske driver liked and disliked about the US as compared to New Zealand. Scott McLaughlin, while answering the dislike part of the question said,

“I don’t want to get too political, really — but there’s definitely a safer feeling in New Zealand. I was talking to my wife about it the other day, just with what’s been going on with the malls and a few things. Walking through a mall, I’m just a little nervous about a couple of things and it’s something I’ve never felt before I came here.”

“I love America. I love it. And I will be a U.S. citizen and I will stay here for the rest of my life if I can. But I definitely miss that feeling of not having to have your guard up everywhere you go. I don’t know whether it’s just me thing.”

McLaughlin used to race in Australia and New Zealand before making the move to America to race in IndyCar at the end of 2020. Before that, the 31-year-old used to race in the land down under in the V8 Supers championship.

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Scott McLaughlin reveals why he didn't make the switch to NASCAR

The V8 Supercars that Scott McLaughlin used to race in Australia would've made it a whole lot easier for the New Zealander to make the switch to NASCAR. However, McLaughlin took the difficult route and signed with Team Penske's IndyCar program.

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Explaining his reason behind the same, he said,

“Everyone thought — including myself — NASCAR was going to be probably where I would go. Up until 2019, I had the same opinion. I thought I was too big for an IndyCar and then Roger (Penske) and T.C. (Tim Cindric) basically said to me, “Have you ever thought about IndyCar? We think it’d be good for you.” I’m like, “Yeah, absolutely.” From that point on, I was YouTubing IndyCar videos, looking at different pieces.”

Scott McLaughlin drives the No.3 Chevrolet-powered IndyCar and finished the 2024 IndyCar season 3rd in the championship.