Scott McLaughlin, the Team Penske driver, recently responded to a fan’s tweet about the reality show Love Island USA, revealing his favorite contestant. The exchange took place on June 16 via the social media platform X, where the fan asked McLaughlin who he would have voted for on the show.
Love Island USA is a reality series where singles live together in a villa, forming couples as they navigate various challenges and dates. The show is currently in its seventh season, with viewers voting for their favorite couples to win a cash prize. In response to the fan’s inquiry, McLaughlin named “Huda” as his favorite contestant without hesitation.
McLaughlin’s Racing Career Highlights This Season
Scott McLaughlin is well known for driving the No. 3 Chevrolet-powered car for Team Penske. He recently competed alongside notable drivers such as Keelan Harvick, son of NASCAR star Kevin Harvick, and Shane Van Gisbergen in the Legends Car event.
In the 2025 IndyCar season, McLaughlin has shown a promising start. He secured pole position at the first race season opener, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, finishing the race in fourth place. At the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 1, McLaughlin qualified seventh but finished in 12th place following a stop-and-go penalty after a collision with Nolan Siegel from Arrow McLaren.
Scott McLaughlin Addresses Team Changes Following Indy 500 Controversy
Team Penske has recently faced turmoil after an inspection controversy at the Indianapolis 500, where two of their three cars failed to meet post-qualifying requirements. These infractions resulted in penalties that moved the affected drivers to the back of the starting grid and a $100,000 fine for the team. Additionally, the team suspended both race strategists involved.
In response, Team Penske announced leadership changes including the departure of President Tim Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski, and general manager Kyle Moyer. New race strategists were assigned to all three drivers for the Indianapolis 500, with McLaughlin’s race engineer Ben Bretzman promoted to race strategist.
Discussing the impact of these changes, McLaughlin said,
“Obviously, it’s a lot for the team to take in. We’re still working through things as we speak. Ultimately, I think the best thing that Penske has… the depth that we have throughout the whole factory. I’m really sort of excited to just get on with it, excited for the future of the team. I’m here for a long time. I’ve got an avid interest for this to work and to be as strong as we were before, which I believe we certainly can with the people we’ve got.
“Sort of sad, obviously, like I said earlier about what happened. I respect the decision. You just got to press on and work with the people that you’ve got. We’ll be okay,” the No. 3 Chevy driver concluded.
Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for McLaughlin and Team Penske
Despite recent setbacks, Scott McLaughlin remains focused on both his racing career and personal interests, as seen with his engagement in popular culture such as Love Island USA. His support for contestant Huda highlights a lighter side to the driver beyond the race track.
For Team Penske, the internal changes are significant as they recover from the inspection scandal, aiming to restore their competitive edge in the IndyCar series. With experienced figures like Ben Bretzman stepping into strategic roles, the team and McLaughlin are determined to regain momentum and continue performing at a high level.
McLaughlin’s steady attitude and commitment to the team suggest that both he and Penske are set to face the upcoming season’s challenges with resilience and optimism.