"We just saw Jimmie Johnson, it's tough" - When Scott McLaughlin defended IndyCar drivers' versatility against claims favoring NASCAR

Scott McLaughlin gave a strong opinion defending the versatility of IndyCar drivers against their NASCAR counterparts in 2023. He cited seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson's failure in Indycar to back his argument.

McLaughlin's comments came in an interview with SpeedFreaks after his win at the 2023 Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix. Co-host Crash Gladys presented the Kiwi driver with a May 2023 tweet by NASCAR veteran Landon Cassill, where he held the adaptability of NASCAR drivers above their other motorsport counterparts, including F1. The tweet read:

"NASCAR drivers are the most versatile professional racing drivers in the world. More surfaces, racing styles, track types, than any series. F1 driver is a true specialist-focused on singular style of racing, while a modern Cup Series driver must be a jack of all trades. Discuss"

Scott McLauglin didn't disagree with Cassill's opinion but found himself on the opposing side by the end of his argument. The Team Penske driver said:

"I don't disagree with that, but I also ... I think it's pretty ignorant to the fact that IndyCar has road course, street course, and ovals. We have everything. I'm not saying that we're better than NASCAR drivers, but I think he's ignorant to the fact that what we do as well is very parallel.

"I think NASCAR drivers are some of the best touring car drivers in the world. But I think you put them in an IndyCar... we just saw Jimmie (Johnson). Jimmy spent two, three years. It's tough. Yeah, big respect to have an opinion, but I probably disagree with it."

Jimmie Johnson is regarded as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers of all time. He's the only driver in Cup Series history to win five consecutive titles (2006-10).

However, when the Legacy Motor Club owner jumped ship to IndyCar, he failed to replicate that success. In his debut year in 2021, when he drove part-time for Chip Ganassi Racing, he failed to get out from the back end of the field. Even after he switched to a full-time role in 2022, a top=5 finish at the Iowa Speedway was the best he could do before exiting the series at the end of the year.

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Scott McLaughlin eyes 2025 IndyCar championship and Indy 500

Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin with the pole position sticker - Source: Getty

Scott McLaughlin was already a champion before he debuted in IndyCar in 2021. The New Zealand driver won three consecutive Supercars championships from 2018 to 2020. His IndyCar career got off to a decent start, finishing 14th in 2021.

He finished fourth in 2022 and secured consecutive third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024. In the last two seasons, Scott McLaughlin has been Team Penske's best driver. At the 2024 Indy 500, he became the fastest Pole winner in IndyCar history with an average speed of 234.22 mph.

In October, Scott McLaughlin told IndyCar about his goals to conquer IndyCar's ultimate prizes in 2025:

"I know I can do it. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I can win the ‘500’ and the championship, as well. I just got to tidy a few things up, and we’ll be OK."