From Penske To Pit Lane: Scott McLaughlin Becomes The Trucks’ St. Pete Tutor

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver Daniel Hemric is among a group of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers making use of the ultimate training guide for the series street course debut. He’s been in contact discussing the tight and challenging downtown course with Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who scored his first career IndyCar Series win – from pole position – at St. Petersburg in 2022.

“Just tried to lean on Scotty a little bit about the nuances that make this place what it is,’’ said Hemric, who drives the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet and has three career top-five finishes on road courses in the series.

“Obviously, he’s had a lot of success in the past and obviously I have only limited street course experience with the Chicago deal [in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series]. From what I’ve seen it’s a beautiful layout and I’m jealous we haven’t done it before now. Hope to have some fun and get on track and learn something.”

McLaughlin said a couple of NASCAR drivers actually reached out to him. In seven starts, the New Zealander has won two pole positions, claimed a pair of top-five finishes and three times has led the most laps in the race.

“There’s skill in learning your proximities, and that’s different, but the NASCAR guys do that week in and week out running so close to the fence at places like Darlington (S.C.) or Bristol (Tenn.) places like that,’’ McLaughlin said. “So that’s not really going to be too much of an issue, I think there’s more to lose if you make a mistake and go down an escape road or flat spotting a tire, hitting a fence is something where there’s a little more risk than other tracks.’’

“But there’s a lot of good road course drivers in the trucks and I think it’s good for the event to have a little collaboration with NASCAR. I’m really excited to watch it Saturday, honestly.”