Scott McLaughlin defended team owner Roger Penske and said he is more motivated than ever to win the Indianapolis 500 after a week of upheaval within his race team.

Scott McLaughlin believes the Penske scandal was exaggerated and defended team owner Roger Penske on Thursday. It gives him extra motivation ahead of Sunday's race.

"I probably think about the car more than I think about myself in those situations," McLaughlin said in an interview with the Free Press. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Referring to Tim Cindric, Ron Ruzewski, and Kyle Moyer—all of whom team owner Roger Penske fired Monday following the IndyCar Series’ fact-finding mission about Sunday qualify

Scott McLaughlin, the 2024 Indianapolis 500 pole-sitter, crashed during practice Sunday on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. McLaughlin did a half-spin and crashed hard into the Turn 2 wall.

Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud (left) is advising 2024 "500" pole sitter Scott McLaughlin this month at Indianapolis.

Scott McLaughlin became the latest IndyCar driver to have his car go airborne in a crash ahead of the Indianapolis 500. McLaughlin crashed during practice on Sunday ahead of the Indy 500 on May 25. McLaughlin,

IndyStar didn't have a great history when it came to predicting the results of the Indianapolis 500 but that appears to be changing. I'm sure I don't need to remind you who picked Josef Newgarden in 2023 -- OK,

Despite starting the Indy 500 on the pole, rookie Robert Shwartzman is hardly the favorite to win Sunday's race.