Scott McLaughlin revealed he has signed a long-term extension with Team Penske on the eve of the 2025 IndyCar season.
The New Zealand ace made the announcement on Saturday (AEDT) ahead of Monday's (AEDT) season opener at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg in Florida.
After dominating Supercars in Australia, the 31-year-old joined IndyCar fulltime in 2021 and finished third in last year's championship standings.
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"We're LIVE and ready for a big 2025!" a delighted McLaughlin said on social media.
"Signed a long-term extension in the off-season with Team Penske and have been absolutely 100% focused on prep for this year. Let's kick this season off right! STRAIGHT. TO. THE. MOON."
McLaughlin later explained to reporters that he had inked the extension without fuss over an offseason in which he and wife Karly welcomed their first child, daughter Lucy, in October.
"I just didn't want to have any questions, move forward and get on with it," McLaughlin said.
"I love the team here and it just was just nice to get some security, especially now being a dad. Once I got my feet on the ground, I love it here (in the USA) and see myself being here for the rest of my career."
McLaughlin was asked whether he would like to try NASCAR while at Penske.
Scott McLaughlin poses with the New Zealand flag. Getty
"I've spoken to RP (Roger Penske) about it, and he's joked about me racing Shane van Gisbergen again or whatever, but it's all fun stuff now," he said.
"But I'm sure you know, if I keep getting the results here, maybe the opportunity will happen one day."
McLaughlin later crashed in practice after a suspension failure but climbed out of his Chevrolet without assistance.
McLaughlin's Penske teammate, Australian veteran Will Power, is also seeking an extension to a contract that expires at the end of 2025.
A decision likely won't be made until after the Indianapolis 500 in May.
Spain's Alex Palou is bidding for a third consecutive championship.
Alex Palou is congratulated by Will Power. AP
This year will be the first full season for IndyCar's new hybrid engine, which was introduced midway through last season.
The cost of the transition – along with a new car in development for 2027 – has ruffled ownership.
Tensions over the two projects may have played a role in the dismissal of IndyCar president Jay Frye, who was replaced by speedway president Doug Boles weeks before the season opener.
Many believe Frye was fighting hard to help the teams reduce spending, while others grumbled that the installation of Boles has made IndyCar 'The Penske Series' since the bulk of the executive leadership team consists of Penske loyalists.
Penske, who turned 88 last week, has tried to maintain a separation from his three car team and ownership of the series.
When Power was in the thick of last year's title chase, he stopped discussing IndyCar issues with media.
Team Penske also was embroiled in a cheating scandal when it was discovered that Josef Newgarden and McLaughlin illegally used their push-to-pass system in finishing first and third in last year's opener.
Palou has dominated the series since his move to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021.
He has won 11 races and three of the last four championships, the last two while locked into a $48 million lawsuit with McLaren over a breach of contract claim.
The two sides met for mediation last month with another session set for October.
McLaren has a new lineup with Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel, but most of their title hopes are tied to Pato O'Ward, the popular Mexican driver who is also McLaren's reserve driver in F1.
O'Ward was in tears after finishing second to Newgarden in last year's Indy 500, and has made winning that race and the series title his 2025 priorities.
McLaren's Pato O'Ward of Mexico reacts after finishing second. Darron Cummings via AP
Newgarden is seeking a third consecutive Indy 500 victory, a feat that has never been done.
He led a combined 22 laps in his two victories, which is far from the dominance needed to continue the streak.
"We have figured out how to win the race twice so far. I like our process," Newgarden said.
Josef Newgarden after victory. Stan
"We'll see if it keeps working. If it doesn't, we'll change the formula. But I think we've got a good process."
Power has hired Fernando Alonso's management group to represent him in negotiations.
It is the first time Power, a two time series champion and Indy 500 winner, has used an agent.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson plans to run in the Indy 500 again, though he has made clear his stock car team and the Coca-Cola 600 that same day are his priority.
All eyes will be on Andretti driver Colton Herta, who is among the candidates for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team that is set to debut in 2026.
Herta, who finished second to Palou in last year's standings, believes landing that job will require him to win the Indy 500 and the championship.
And new to the IndyCar grid this year is Prema Racing, an Italian team that competes in F1's lower levels.
Prema will debut with Callum Ilott, who has bounced in and out of IndyCar the last four years, and rookie Robert Schwartzman, who won the F2 and F3 titles for Prema.