Scott McLaughlin Siblings: All About Samantha McLaughlin

Scott Thomas McLaughlin, born on June 10, 1993, in Christchurch, New Zealand, stands as one of the most dynamic figures in modern motorsport.

From his early days in Hamilton, where his family relocated when he was three, to the sun-soaked tracks of Australia’s Gold Coast starting at age nine, McLaughlin’s life has been defined by speed and relocation in pursuit of racing dreams.

Attending Saint Stephen’s College during his formative years, he transformed a childhood passion into a global career, navigating the high-stakes worlds of Supercars and IndyCar.

Now 32, McLaughlin resides in the United States with his wife, Karly Paone, whom he married in Malibu, California, on December 14, 2019, and their daughter, Lucy Violet, born in early 2024.

His journey embodies resilience, marked by a 31-month separation from his family due to the COVID-19 pandemic after moving stateside in late 2020.

Siblings

Scott has one sibling, sister Samantha McLaughlin, who shares an unbreakable bond with the racing star.

Growing up alongside Scott, Samantha has been a constant presence, offering emotional anchorage amid the whirlwind of his professional life.

She previously carved her own path in the motorsport ecosystem, working in the marketing and communications department of Supercars Australia, where her expertise helped amplify the series that propelled her brother’s career.

Samantha’s arrival that week marked the first full family gathering since Scott’s wedding in December 2019, a moment laden with tears and triumph as they prepared to witness his Indianapolis 500 preparations together.

Career

McLaughlin’s racing odyssey ignited in 1999 on New Zealand’s karting circuits, where he clinched his first national title by 2002, showcasing the raw talent that would define his trajectory.

The family’s bold move to Australia’s Gold Coast in 2003 opened doors to continental competition, propelling him into the Formula Ford and Porsche Carrera Cup scenes by his mid-teens.

His breakthrough arrived in 2010 with a 12th-place finish in the V8 Supercar Development Series, followed by a dominant 2012 Dunlop Super2 Series championship that etched him into lore as part of the “Class of 2012” alongside future stars like Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat.

Debuting full-time in Supercars in 2013 with Garry Rogers Motorsport, McLaughlin wasted no time, securing his maiden win in New Zealand and finishing 10th overall while earning the Mike Kable Young Gun Award.

A mid-season switch to Stone Brothers Racing honed his edge, leading to fifth in 2014 and the prestigious Barry Sheene Medal for his blend of speed and sportsmanship.

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The pivotal chapter unfolded in 2017 when Roger Penske recruited him to DJR Team Penske, igniting an era of dominance.

Over four seasons, McLaughlin amassed 48 victories and 59 poles, shattering records with 18 wins in the record-breaking 2019 campaign.

His crowning Supercars jewel came on October 13, 2019, conquering the iconic Bathurst 1000 alongside co-driver Alexandre Premat, a victory that silenced doubters and cemented his status as a touring car titan.

Yet, McLaughlin’s gaze turned to open-wheel racing, inspired by childhood idol Scott Dixon and the allure of the Indianapolis 500.

Signing a multi-year deal with Team Penske in 2020, he debuted at the St. Petersburg finale, finishing a creditable 21st despite the unfamiliar machinery.

Transitioning to IndyCar full-time in 2021, McLaughlin adapted swiftly to the series’ oval-heavy demands, posting a podium in his oval debut at Gateway and clinching Rookie of the Year honors.

Challenges persisted, including a 43G crash at Gold Coast in 2019 that tested his mettle, but resilience defined him.

By 2023, he notched his first series win at Barber Motorsports Park, followed by triumphs at Mid-Ohio and Iowa in 2024, where he became the first to claim the Darwin Triple Crown in Supercars lore.

Driving the No. 3 Dallara-Chevrolet, McLaughlin’s 2024 season peaked with a record-setting pole at the 108th Indianapolis 500, averaging 234.220 mph over four laps, though he settled for sixth in the race amid fierce competition.

Accolades

In Supercars, McLaughlin reigned supreme as a three-time consecutive champion from 2018 to 2020, a streak that included 56 race wins and 76 poles over nine seasons, underscoring his unparalleled consistency.

His 2019 season stands eternal, eclipsing Craig Lowndes’ win record with 18 victories, while the Bathurst 1000 conquest that year delivered Team Penske its first in the grueling 1000km endurance classic.

Earlier accolades, like the 2012 Dunlop Super2 title and 2011 Queensland Raceway win as the series’ youngest victor, laid the groundwork for his ascent.

Crossing to IndyCar, McLaughlin’s accolades multiplied with breathtaking speed.

Crowned 2021 Rookie of the Year—the first for Team Penske since the award’s 1979 inception—he silenced skeptics with a second-place oval debut and steady top-10 finishes.

By 2023, victories at Barber and Portland propelled him to fourth in points, but 2024 elevated him to legend status: three wins, eight podiums, and a third-place championship finish, the highest for any Penske driver.

His crown jewel arrived at the Indianapolis 500, where he seized pole with a blistering four-lap average, earning the NTT P1 Award and etching his name in history.

That year, he also claimed the season-long NTT P1 Award with five poles, extending his team-record tally to nine.

Beyond statistics, honors like the 2013 Mike Kable Young Gun Award, 2014 Barry Sheene Medal, and 2025 Jim Clark Trophy from MotorSport New Zealand—shared with icons like Greg Murphy and Kenny Smith—affirm his global reverence.