There’s no denying that Scott McLaughlin’s IndyCar season has been miserable. Awful. Shocking. Whatever word one wants to use, the driver of the No. 3 Team Penske car is straight-up having the worst time—but this dismal season is also reinforcing how lucky IndyCar is to have Scott McLaughlin.

Sunday’s Honda Indy Toronto was another race to forget for McLaughlin, who wrecked out early when a wheel nut came flying off his car and the car slammed into the wall. In the last six events, he’s only finished in the Top 10 one time. And no one will forget anytime soon the image of a devastated McLaughlin not even getting to take the green flag at the Indy 500. It’s been a horrible turn of events for the driver who’s been in the championship Top 3 each of the past two years. And the insult to injury is that many of these results aren’t his fault—whether it’s that errant wheel nut or getting caught up with Devlin DeFrancesco.

It’s easy for fans to put themselves in McLaughlin’s shoes. Anything that can go wrong for him has gone wrong, and it’s happening on a public stage, while he’s on the most high-profile race team that not only wants to win, it expects to win. You can’t watch a race broadcast without hearing about how Team Penske is having their worst season in ages. There are so many different reasons for McLaughlin to have a meltdown, or wallow in his misery but he has done neither. The way Scott McLaughlin has conducted himself is an example to everybody—not just in racing, but in general.

McLaughlin’s always been one of the great personalities in the IndyCar paddock: personable, witty, and game for anything. But in the face of all this adversity, viewers are getting an even closer look at his character. His post-wreck interview at Toronto was but one example; he had every right to be upset at the pit crew not getting that wheel secured and costing him another result. But he explicitly refused to do so and reaffirmed his support for the No. 3 team. And he deserved credit for standing there and doing yet another exit interview politely, even though it was very clear how pained he’s become.

McLaughlin hasn’t shrunk away from public engagement when no one would blame him if he did. Not only has he done every interview, but he’s launched his LOCK3D IN video blog, which has been a delight even on the less than successful weekends. He and his crew (shoutout to Brian Simpson) are making fun of themselves, teasing other drivers and taking viewers on interesting detours. They’re keeping the fans in the family even through the difficult times. What’s become memorable about the vlog is that what’s traditionally been little more than a puff piece for many athletes has become something more in-depth with McLaughlin. Not only is he maintaining that connection with the fans, but he’s being so genuine with it.

Scott McLaughlin has displayed a willingness to be vulnerable. He doesn’t gloss over the hard parts in his blogs, or his social media. He’s put himself out there every week, and not just canned answers in a media session (he may not actually be capable of stock answers). Fans know his disappointment and his frustration, but also his appreciation that racing is just one part of his life. If people could have the perspective McLaughlin does, and his integrity, we’d all be a lot better off. He’s still a competitor, driving like a bat out of hell to make things happen when he has the chance (see the insane number of passes at Iowa). But he’s also a genuinely good person even when he’s got every reason to feel bad.

The worst luck on-track has reminded us that not only is Scott McLaughlin one of IndyCar’s best drivers, he’s also one of its best people. And while we’ve been talking plenty about how tough Team Penske’s season is, we could stand to talk a little more about how well McLaughlin is representing himself and the sport.

The 2025 IndyCar season continues Sunday, July 27 with the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Photo Credit: Joe Skibinski/Courtesy of Penske Entertainment.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.