SCOTT McLaughlin intends to say goodbye to Pukekohe Park Raceway in person before the historic motorsport venue is shut down.
It was at Pukekohe in 2013 that McLaughlin became the youngest championship race winner in ATCC/Supercars history, winning as a rookie for Garry Rogers Motorsport.
The Kiwi also won his most recent Supercars start at the New Zealand circuit in 2019 and watched on from afar as the last hurrah unfolded on the weekend.
McLaughlin’s compatriot Shane van Gisbergen won the final two Supercars races at Pukekohe, which will focus exclusively on horse racing as of April next year.
On the other side of the world McLaughlin was rounding out a splendid IndyCar Series campaign with sixth at Laguna Seca, albeit saddened to miss the Pukekohe farewell.
“I watched every race on the weekend, it was awesome,” the Team Penske star said on Stan Sport’s Pit Lane.
“That last race was so good; I was next to my wife Karly and I was up and about cheering, it was awesome.
“I actually thought Cam (Waters) was going in the fence there with Shane so they did a good job to get out of all that.
“But really good racing, what a way to send that place off, two Kiwis on the podium.
“To be honest, it was quite sad not being there.”
With McLaughlin headed back to Australasia later this year, including as part of the Supercars broadcast team for December’s Adelaide 500, there is still time to visit Pukekohe in all its glory.
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“Obviously the memories that I have had there in the past is amazing,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get home and when I go to New Zealand I want go past to Pukekohe and just check it out one last time.”
McLaughlin ended up fourth in the 2022 IndyCar standings, having won races at St Petersburg, Mid-Ohio and Portland.
