McLaughlin had an amazing run at the Indy 500, setting a new record with an average speed of 234.220mph over four laps. He started last among the Fast Six drivers but managed to clinch Penske’s 19th pole position for the race.
His teammates Will Power and Josef Newgarden will also start near him, making it a rare front-row lockout for team owner Roger Penske, the first since 1988.
McLaughlin, who has now secured his seventh career pole position, expressed pride in his team’s achievement. He mentioned celebrating the moment before focusing on the upcoming 500-mile race.
“This is a special moment, especially for Roger Penske,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve been working hard to improve our car speed, and this front-row sweep shows our efforts paying off.”
Regarding his own performance, McLaughlin described the run as “gnarly” and expressed his pride in the team’s effort.
Before this race, McLaughlin’s best starting position was 14th. However, his outstanding performance at this year’s event signals a significant breakthrough for him.
Reflecting on his experience during the qualifying laps, McLaughlin admitted feeling the pressure but remained focused on executing each lap flawlessly.
“It was intense out there,” McLaughlin said. “You have to adjust the car during the laps to maintain control and speed. We’ve been practicing for this, and I’m glad we could deliver when it mattered.”
McLaughlin’s record-breaking performance at the Indy 500 qualifying not only secured him a pole position but also highlighted the strength of Team Penske’s efforts in improving their car speed.
